Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has said Ireland is sending a “clear message” to Europe as thousands of farmers gather in Athlone today to protest the controversial EU-Mercosur trade deal, many of whom are manning tractors.
Speaking amid the protest at the Technological University of the Shannon this morning, the Midlands-North-West MEP said the rally would focus the minds of many representatives across the continent.
The event has been organised by Independent Ireland following an EU vote on Friday where member states provisionally approved the trade agreement despite opposition from several countries.
The Mercosur deal is a major free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It has been in the works for a quarter of a century, and aims to eliminate tariffs on various goods, allowing the EU to export industrial products more easily while granting Mercosur countries increased access to the European market for agricultural exports – most notably beef.
The agreement is highly contentious because many European farmers fear that lower-cost South American beef, produced under less stringent environmental and food safety standards, will undercut local prices and threaten the viability of family farms.
Additionally, critics warn the deal lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent deforestation in the Amazon and ensure parity with strict EU production regulations.
Mullooly stated that the mobilisation proves that public pressure and community action can be effective.
“This announcement proves one thing beyond doubt, people power works and pressure works,” Mullooly said.
“But let me be very clear: this deal is not dead. It has not been voted on. Nothing is done until MEPs vote in Strasbourg. That is why it is vital that farmers and communities show their strength again this Saturday”.
The Independent Ireland Agriculture spokesperson has also warned that the attempt to stop the agreement is far from over.
Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice said that while some representatives have supported the deal, there is a window for them to change their minds.
“What we are doing today is to show that Irish farmers are disgusted with what’s going on, to encourage our MEPs to stand up and be counted,” Fitzmaurice said this morning, as reported by Newstalk.
“The battle to stop the Mercosur deal is far from over”.
“Some of those who voted in favour may change their minds in a crucial vote in March”.
Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris has said the European Commission should not take for granted that the deal will be ratified. The Fine Gael leader said the government would continue to outline concerns regarding the agreement.
“It is not a done deal,” Harris said.
“There’s still a window of time to outline the concerns that we have in relation to the agreement.
“It has to be free trade that doesn’t expect our farmers or our consumers to adopt a different set of standards”.