Mercosur concerns raised

A local TD has raised his concerns over the proposed Mercosur with the top of the Irish government in recent weeks.

Former Agriculture Minister Deputy Brendan Smith has voiced the potential impact of the trade deal between south America and the European Union in the Dáil with the Taoiseach and current minister of agriculture.

In his latest contribution, the Fianna Fáil deputy quizzed the Tánaiste on the matter. Deputy Smith described the “exceptionally high standards” of Irish food production and continued: “There is a cost on the farming community in maintaining those standards, including high welfare and biosecurity standards and traceability.

Traceability

“Our beef and poultry sectors are extremely concerned about the potential for totally unfair competition if inferior product is allowed into the European Union. The proposed safeguarding regulations need to be substantially strengthened. Our agrifood sector's concerns about this proposed trade deal must be robustly and vigorously outlined and advanced in all discussions by Government at EU level.”

Tánaiste Simon Harris assured Deputy Smith that he, and his senior colleagues shared his concerns.

“They are points made by the Taoiseach, myself, the Minister for agriculture and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“There should not be a rush into a quick vote on this. We are continuing to work with like-minded countries that share our significant concerns. We continue to ascertain if a blocking minority exists as well. Our programme for Government commitment remains.”

Nitrates

Meanwhile, IFA President Francie Gorman said that comments by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin which indicated that the Government would have to factor in the recent EU Commission decision on the Nitrates derogation into its thinking on Mercosur were totally unacceptable.

“These are two separate and distinct issues. For the Taoiseach to appear to link them is utterly unacceptable. There is a clear commitment on both issues in the Programme for Government,” he said. “The Taoiseach must now clarify if he has done some backroom deal with Ursula von der Leyen to back Mercosur and to sell out Ireland’s beef and poultry farmers,” he said.