The Taoiseach’s confirmed that Ireland will not be voting for the Mercosur deal.

The crucial EU vote on the arrangement is due tomorrow aiming to increase trade opportunities between Europe and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Speaking in China, Micheál Martin told reporters while huge progress has been made in relation to the deal, he doesn’t have confidence that Irish farmers will not be under pressure if it goes through.

While An Tánaiste SImon Harris has issued the following statement to KCLR:

 

Fine Gael Deputy for Carlow and Kilkenny Catherine Callaghan shares her view;

 

Farming Reaction

Graignamanagh based Paul O’Brien is south Leinster Regional Chair of the Irish Farmers Association has been reacting on The KCLR Daily;

 

Added to that President of ICMSA, Kilkenny man Denis Drennan, says; “The Government left it very late, but has come down on the right side of what is a head-to-head between fundamental principles of fairness and consistency and the kind of slippery expediency that seems to be the dominant approach in far too many situations now. ICMSA and Irish farmers in general have never been against fair trade; the point is that – as regards food and particularly beef – the agreement with the Mercosur was not and could not be fair. We have no way of ensuring that the beef that would be imported into the EU under the agreement would be of the same standards of traceability and environmentally sustainable production that the EU insists upon for its own farmers. And we know from long experience that the authorities in Mercosur countries are unable or unwilling to enforce even their existing standards and regulations. That leaves us with the EU forcing its own farmers to compete against cheaper substandard beef produced off an environmentally destructive system that is the direct opposite of the farming system that has been painstakingly introduced onto EU farms over the last 20 years. That was a hypocrisy too far and ICMSA welcomes the Irish Government’s belated recognition of that fact”.

In the event of the deal being voted through by other Member States tomorrow, Mr Drennan said the focus must switch to the EU Parliament and Ireland should work with MEPS from other Member States who share our commitment to basic fairness and consistency to block the deal.

In Addition …

If you missed our coverage on the topic yesterday, see here.

Meanwhile, Independent Ireland’s planned protest on this issue will go ahead in Athlone this Saturday.

The Irish Road Haulage Association has today announced its ‘strong support’ for that with members set to join the demonstration in solidarity.

IRHA President, Laois based Ger Hyland, says “As an organisation representing the road transport sector, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Irish farmers in their legitimate efforts to protect their livelihoods, rural communities, and standards of production that have made Irish agriculture renowned internationally,”

“Our members are integral to the national supply chain and rural economy — delivering essential goods to markets across Ireland and Europe. We understand the challenges faced by producers when market conditions or policy environments put local industry at a competitive disadvantage.”

As always, if you would like to react or share another topic please text/whatsapp straight to our studio: 083 306 96 96 and don’t forget The KCLR Farm Show with Matt O’Keeffe from 7pm.