Time for Our Government to Stand Up on Mercosur

IFA President Francie Gorman said the time for the Government to stand up on Mercosur is now, following the move by the EU Commission to push ahead with the proposal.

“We have had plenty of assurances about the Government’s opposition to the Mercosur deal, but it has to deliver. We cannot countenance a deal that refuses to recognise the gap in standards between the EU and Brazil,” he said.

Francie Gorman said beef and poultry producers should not have to pay the price of allowing other sectors gain access to the South American market. Either standards count for something, or they don’t.

“The EU Commission would probably like to push this through without much discussion, but we will be looking to other Member States which have issues with the deal to back us here. There is also a role for our MEPs to build alliances with colleagues to mount a blocking vote to the deal,” he said.

“At every opportunity, we have raised this with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Agriculture. During the last General Election, we had their backing to oppose the deal and that commitment has to stand. Failure to do so would amount to reneging on what has been promised,” he said.

The IFA President said the overall approach to trade issues by the EU Commission has to be questioned. “Even with improved prices over the last 12 months, the incomes of beef producers are very modest. It’s both hypocritical and contradictory to insist on the highest standards for European producers only to allow Mercosur countries access without reaching the same standards.”

Francie Gorman said this is a watershed moment for farmers and the EU. “Trust in how decisions are reached at EU level will be undermined if a deal like this is pushed through by the Commission.”