20,000 rally in Athlone as farmers oppose EU-Mercosur trade deal
An estimated 20,000 protesters gathered in Athlone on Friday to oppose the Mercosur agreement, the landmark trade deal between the EU and South America.
Earlier on Friday, the EU ambassador approved a trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, although it still requires approval from the European Parliament.
The Government voted against the deal in its current form, with senior Cabinet figures insisting negotiations have not concluded.
The agreement covers four Mercosur countries — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Irish beef farmers fear the deal could threaten exports by opening the market to lower-cost Brazilian beef.
The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) welcomed the Government’s decision to vote against the deal, saying the proposed safeguards do not provide assurances that Brazilian beef will meet EU standards.
On Saturday, the Independent Ireland party organised a large-scale protest in Athlone, Co Westmeath, with scores of tractors joining a rolling demonstration along the M6 before an indoor rally at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
Organisers arranged buses nationwide to transport protesters, as thousands either joined the march on foot or lined the route in support.
Farmers, family members and supporters arrived from early morning on January 10, swelling crowds at the TUS campus ahead of the march.
GardaĂ warned of significant traffic delays due to the demonstration.
A convoy of about 1,000 tractors and vehicles travelled through the town, crossed the River Shannon and finished beside the TUS campus.
Many marchers carried banners from farming groups including the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA), Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA), the Irish Grain Growers Association, the Irish Beef and Lamb Association (IBLA) and the Irish Rural Association.
Some participants held placards criticising senior Government figures, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
MEP Ciarán Mullooly and Independent Ireland agriculture spokesperson Michael Fitzmaurice, backed by major farming organisations, called the rally following provisional EU approval of the agreement on Friday.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s protest, Mr Fitzmaurice said efforts to stop the Mercosur deal were “far from over”.
The march culminated in a rally inside a sports arena at TUS, where thousands listened to politicians and farming representatives deliver speeches opposing the deal.
Capacity limits forced many to remain outside in cold conditions, while others stood inside to hear the speakers.
MEP Ciarán Mullooly led the event and received a standing ovation.
Earlier, he said he would call on all Irish MEPs to vote against the deal, adding: “There is opposition to this rotten trade deal right across the continent.”
Speaking during the protest, IFA president Francie Gormman said the strong turnout was a continuation of a “very strong no campaign to Mercosur”.
“Our message to MEPs is to follow suit with the Irish Government when they honoured the commitment in the Programme for Government to vote against this deal.
“Our MEPs now have to do the same and also work with MEPs across the spectrum in the European Parliament to build alliances and make sure they can build a majority vote against this deal which will probably be tabled some time in early spring.”
Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson Martin Kenny said the progression of the Mercosur agreement at EU level marked a “bad day” for Irish farming.
“While the Irish Government voted against the deal today, they had to be dragged kicking and screaming to this position by the combined opposition, the farm organisations and some of their own backbench TDs.”Â
Green Party senator Malcolm Noonan said the protest highlighted broader concerns.
“We need to have a wider conversation about the sustainability of Irish farming and I think today is for the farmers themselves to vent their anger at the manner in which the Irish Government flipped and flapped on the issue.
“They secured the nitrates derogation – were held up very favourably by Europe on that and then waited to see what the vote was going to going to play out in Brussels, and then went against it, purely under pressure from the independents and from Independent Ireland.
“Excuse the pun, but it is doing policy on the hoof and it is disingenuous to Irish farming.”Â
Mr Noonan urged the Government to plan for generational renewal and regenerative farming practices.
Earlier this week, Mr Harris said the European Commission should not “take for granted” support from MEPs. While he said passage looked likely, he added: “It is not a done deal.”
He said “there’s still a window of time” to outline Ireland’s concerns.
Mr Harris said the Government had not ruled out backing the deal if “changes and improvements” were made on food safety and environmental parity.
He added that Ireland “benefits from free trade”, but said it must not force farmers or consumers to operate under lower standards.
