Ireland continues talks to oppose Mercosur
From left: Taoiseach Micheál Martin, agriculture minister Martin Heydon, and ICMSA president Denis Drennan at the organisation's AGM. Picture: Don Moloney
Both the Taoiseach and agriculture minister continue to hold talks with like-minded countries on Mercosur.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressed attendees at the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) AGM, on the looming Mercosur agreement being considered by the EU.
He empathised with farmers' push-back on the proposed agreement, saying Ireland had highlighted the vulnerability of the beef sector and the potential negative impacts of Mercosur.
“Ireland has repeatedly emphasised our requirements for credible, legally binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity and deforestation protections.”
He added: “In October, the commission published details of its proposal for a regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause within the agreement in relation to agricultural products.”
These regulations have been highlighted by farming organisations as not enough to protect farmers and will only be implemented after the damage is done, kicking in too late to be of much benefit to farmers.
Mr Martin said: “We will continue to work with like-minded countries on this issue, France, Italy, Poland and others.”
Following a Q&A segment, Mr Heydon also referred to Mercosur, emphasising Ireland’s concerns in particular with environmental practices in the countries included in the Mercosur trade deal.
He explained what was needed to block the deal.
A stipulation with a block is that the combined population of all the countries blocking the Mercosur deal must amount to 35% of the EU's total population.
ICMSA president Denis Drennan accused the Government of not doing enough to stand up against the deal.
“We have no strong evidence of any campaign being mounted against Mercosur,” he said.
He said Irish farmers conformed to the demands set by the EU regarding food safety, traceability, sustainability, environmentally friendly and hormone-free practices, highlighting there had been no such moves to make Mercosur countries meet those same standards.
“The food that we produce to the standard demanded by us is undermined by the product allowed into the marketplace that cannot be verified to sustain standards.”
