Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has called on the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to join with France in taking a clear and unequivocal stand against the Mercosur trade deal, warning that continued mixed messaging and indecision is undermining Irish and European agriculture.
Deputy Fitzmaurice said the Mercosur agreement is a rotten and deeply damaging deal that must be stopped, not managed or “half-opposed” behind closed doors.
“This deal will devastate family farms, hollow out rural communities and undermine food standards right across Europe,” he said. “France has been clear and forthright in its opposition. Ireland should be standing shoulder to shoulder with them, and actively encouraging Italy and other countries to follow suit.”
The EU-Mercosur deal has been in negotiations for over 25 years and would create the world’s biggest free trade area, encompassing the EU member states and the Mercosur trade bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The deal allows a quota of 99,000 tonnes of Mercosur beef into the EU annually at a reduced tariff of 7.5%, and has led to strong opposition from European farming organisations who fear the impact of increased beef imports, and point to the differences in regulatory standards in the relative jurisdictions.
Deputy Fitzmaurice said the Government’s approach to date has been marked by hesitation and contradictory signals.
“Farmers are fed up listening to warm words at home while Ireland sends mixed messages in Europe,” he said. “That fence-sitting has to end. This is a moment that requires leadership, not ambiguity.”
He said Independent Ireland TD’s, Led by Michael Collins and Ag Spokesperson Michael Fitzmaurice at home and MEP Ciaran Mullooly, has been united in firm opposition to the Mercosur deal for more than 18 months.
MEP Mullooly stated: “Our understanding is that France and Italy are now working to seek a deferral of the vote on Mercosur which while positive, I believe we should be working with France and Italy to call for outright opposition to the deal. The onus is on our Taoiseach and Tanaiste to go one step further and not only call for a deferment of the vote but oppose it outright. The time for uncertainty and ambiguity is over – it’s time to pull on the green jersey and stand up for Irish farmers”
“We have been consistent and clear from day one,” he said. “We warned what this deal would mean for Irish beef, for environmental standards and for the future of farming. Those warnings have not changed.”
Deputy Fitzmaurice said it is now time for Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the regional Independents in Government to nail their colours to the mast.
“They cannot keep telling farmers one thing at the mart gate and doing another thing in Brussels,” he said. “If they truly support Irish and European agriculture, then now is the time to prove it.”
He said the Taoiseach and Tánaiste must actively align Ireland with countries opposing the deal and work to build a blocking alliance within the EU.
“This is about protecting farmers, food security and standards that Europe claims to stand for,” Deputy Fitzmaurice said. “Get off the fence, do the right thing, and stand up for Irish agriculture before it is too late.”