Farmers in Louth will lose out in new Mercosur proposal claims MEP

Midlands–North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has again voiced his strongest opposition against the Mercosur trade agreement claiming that Louth farmers are set to lose out. Currently he said that he “welcomes the Government response from Minister Haydon who has firmly rejected the proposed Mercosur deal. However, this opposition must remain and we cannot see an abandonment of principles. We have a proud agricultural tradition in Ireland and we cannot turn our backs on food quality and safety.”

In addition, Mullooly said that, “the proposed benefits to the dairy and drinks sector are highly dubious and wishful thinking. A recent global price comparison of cheese shows Ireland at around $11.31 per kilo, while Brazil stands at just $8.73 and Paraguay at only $6.73 - 40% cheaper than Ireland. With Mercosur dairy already this low-priced, and transport and logistics costs on top, there is simply no real market opportunity for Irish dairy exports.”

Mullooly commented on the safeguards in place for farmers and said that: “We have seen trade deals already made a mockery of this year with egregious breaches of human rights clauses as in the case of the EU Israel trade deal, so why should we expect there to be any real meaning behind similar clauses in this Mercosur trade deal? We cannot have any real faith in safety or human rights clauses anymore.”

Read Next: Louth County Council wants you to make your business age friendly!

The Independent Ireland MEP is also urging the Tánaiste to take a clear stand. At the upcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers for Trade, saying, “This deal has not been changed and will not be renegotiated.” 

“The decision is now final. Under Qualified Majority Voting, 65% of votes are required to block Mercosur - meaning every country’s position counts.

"The Tánaiste must now make his choice: will he back Irish and European farmers by rejecting this deeply damaging agreement, as he himself has said many times during the debate or will he turn his back on them? The time for indecision is over."