Call for MEPs to nail colours to the mast over Mercosur
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) is calling on Ireland's MEPs and the government to outline a clear position on the proposal for an EU trade deal with the Mercosur countries of South America.
The controversial trade agreement would allow an additional 99,000t of beef enter the EU tariff-free from Mercosur countries Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
The political agreement will open up the EU market to goods from Mercosur, but limits imports from those countries of “sensitive agricultural products” such as beef, ethanol, pork, honey, sugar and poultry.
ICSA president Sean McNamara wants declarations from both Irish MEPs and the government regarding their position on the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal.
“Vague political statements are no longer good enough. We are tired of hearing that people ‘don’t support the deal in its current form’ without any explanation of what changes would make it acceptable," McNamara said.
"That kind of language is meaningless to Irish farmers whose livelihoods are on the line if this deal goes ahead.
"We want to know exactly what changes would satisfy our elected representatives, and how far they are willing to go to defend Irish farmers,” he said.
The ICSA has this week written to every Irish MEP seeking clear answers on their position.
The letter asks MEPs to confirm whether they support or oppose the deal as it stands, and what (if any) amendments would make it acceptable to them in future.
“There is a lot of confusion following a recent European Parliament vote on a report containing amendments linked to the Mercosur agreement, and farmers are rightly questioning where our representatives actually stand," McNamara continued.
"Are they willing to draw a line in the sand - or will they roll over if cosmetic tweaks are made?”
McNamara has claimed that there is also a "worrying" lack of urgency and resolve from the government on this issue.
“What we need are cast-iron guarantees that Ireland will not support this deal - now or in the future - and that our government is actively working to build a blocking minority in Brussels," he continued.
"Anything less is just not good enough. It is time for every Irish MEP and government TD to provide clear, accountable answers to the farming communities they represent.”
