There has been strong criticism today (Friday, December 6) following the news that European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen and her counterparts from four Mercosur countries have finalised negotiations for a trade deal.
Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice has written to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to take decisive action against the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.
In a formal letter, Deputy Fitzmaurice outlined what he described as the “devastating consequences” this deal would have for Irish farming, rural communities, and the broader issues of food security and environmental standards.
Deputy Fitzmaurice said: “The Mercosur agreement will flood the European market with 99,000t of South American beef annually, produced under standards far below those adhered to by Irish farmers.
“This could drive Irish beef prices down by an estimated 30%, delivering a devastating blow to an already struggling sector and endangering the livelihoods of rural communities across the country.”
Deputy Fitzmaurice also raised serious concerns about the environmental impacts of the deal, claiming that beef imports from Mercosur countries are often tied to deforestation and unsustainable farming practices.
In the letter, Deputy Fitzmaurice urged the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to travel to France, Italy, and other EU member states to build alliances with European leaders such as President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who have also expressed concerns about the deal.
“If 35% of the EU population opposes the pact, it must be put to a vote. Ireland must lead the charge to ensure the voices of farmers and citizens are heard,” Fitzmaurice stated.
Further reaction to Mercosur agreement
Independent Ireland colleague, Ciaran Mullooly MEP has also reacted less than positively for this step forward for the Mercosur trade deal.
MEP Mullooly has described the deal as a “direct attack on Irish and European farmers who are already burdened by strict environmental regulations”.
“The deal, announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has been negotiated in secrecy and threatens to flood EU markets with agricultural imports produced under far inferior environmental and sustainability standards,” Mullooly added.
The MEP is calling on Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue to convene an emergency meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers to halt any further implementation of the draft agreement.
He has also called for a full impact assessment be conducted to evaluate the consequences for the Irish and European agricultural sectors.
Mullooly also stated that he is now contacting the chair of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee to summon the EU Agriculture Commissioners to explain their position on this agreement.
Social Democrats
Meanwhile, the Social Democrats party has said Irish farmers should not be forced to compete with farmers in other countries who are subject to much lower health and environmental standards.
The Soc Dems claim that the outgoing government parties are “sleepwalking” the country into ratification of the Mercosur deal – which the party says would be disastrous for both agriculture and the environment.
Social Democrats climate spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore said: “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has today concluded negotiations for the Mercosur deal, despite trenchant opposition to the deal from a number of member states.
“This deal would be a disaster for Irish agriculture, with hundreds of thousands of tonnes of South American beef flooding the EU market. Given Irish farmers export 90% of their beef, this will have an immediate negative impact on farmers.
“Put simply, Irish and European farmers should not be forced to compete with farmers in other countries who are subject to much lower health and environmental standards.
“This is not just a concern for farmers – but for consumers across the EU, who want to be assured the produce they are buying is of high quality with clear traceability,” Whitmore added.
The Social Democrats also stated that there are fears that the trade deal could lead to an accelerated deforestation of the Amazon, which would it said would be catastrophic for global efforts to significantly reduce emissions.
Renewable ethanol producers
ePURE, which represents the interests of European renewable ethanol producers, has added to the chorus of negativity surrounding the deal.
In a statement it said: “Even after more than five years of re-negotiation and tinkering, the EU-Mercosur agreement remains a bad deal for the EU renewable ethanol sector, for European farmers and for Europe’s drive for strategic industrial and agricultural autonomy.
“The European Commission ignored repeated warnings from European bioethanol producers and decided to offer Mercosur countries a huge share of the EU’s ethanol market.
“In doing so, the EU is putting at risk European biorefineries producing food, feed, fuel, fertilisers and much more.”
European ethanol producers have said that they are not opposed to trade, “provided it is fair and integrated in a consistent long-term strategy” – something they say Brazilian ethanol producers have enjoyed for decades. In the EU, they have said there is no such strategy.