Irish MEPs continued to back farmers in opposing the EU Mercosur trade deal at a meeting today (Thursday, January 30) with Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen and Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič.

The EU is Mercosur's number one trade and investment partner, according to the EU Commission. EU exports to Mercosur were €56 billion in goods in 2023 and €28 billion in services in 2022.

The trade agreement, if ratified, would open market access for a further 99,000t of high value steak cuts into the EU market.

Commissioner Šefčovič said the deal is a "win win agreement" which "paves the way for new export opportunities, for European companies, and for European farmers".

"On beef, the EU already imports 200,000t per year. The additional market opening of a new quota of 99,000t will be within this limit," Commissioner Šefčovič said.

Commissioner Hansen said he is "aware" of the concerns of farmers, but that there would be "no undercutting" in terms of products reaching EU agricultural standards.

Speeches from both commissioners sparked much reaction from Irish MEPs, with Midlands–North-West MEP Luke Ming Flanagan stating that the EU Commission is "massively playing down" the significance of Mercosur.

"What in reality will happen is, the new arrangements will allow exports to effectively subsidise further out of quota with preferential terms contained in the new deal.

"It would be illogical and against the norms of market forces to expect anything else. The imports are currently growing. Mercosur have already demonstrated that exporting and paying full tariffs is well within their ability and reach," he said.

The MEP said that the EU Commision has "betrayed" farmers after members "promised" to be against the deal.

MEP Maria Walsh said that if European farmers are asked to adhere to high environmental standards, then it "must be" expected that alll other producers in South America do the same - "Anything else is a double standard", she said.

Speaking about Ireland, Commissioner Hansen said that dairy producers, whiskey and spirit producers "need" new export markets.

He said that there is "no proof" to suggest that the 99,000t of beef will be added on top of the already imported 200,000t.

"Let me assure you that the commission took the concerns of the sensitive sectors very seriously in negotiating the partnership agreement and this is why the EU cautiously negotiated clear limits to the requests for Mercosur to open our beef, poultry and sugar markets," Commissioner Hansen said.

MEP Barry Cowen acknowledged the potential benefits of the Mercosur deal for industries like pharma, drinks and spirits, financial services and more, however questioned the impact on farmers.

"The food production and environmental standards in the Mercosur countries do not come close to matching those demanded of Irish farmers. And with a toothless sustainability chapter, the deal - as it stands - cannot be supported," Cowen said.

MEP Ciaran Mullooly called on the commissioners to provide an impact assessment for how the Mercosur deal will impact Irish farmers.

“In the middle of October, Commissioners, I asked if it was possible to have an impact assessment on the effect of this deal on my country. Nothing has come," Mullooly said.

Commissioner Hansen said that there have been studies completed on the overall impact of Mercosur by the European joint research centre.