'It wasn't an easy decision politically'

FG colleagues say Bord Bia solution needed "that doesn't call for somebody's head"

MEP Maria Walsh has defended her stance on Mercosur as “the right thing to do”, insisting she opposes it overall.

The Fine Gael politician made her comments during a visit to Monaghan on Friday. The Celt asked why MEP Walsh voted against referring the controversial Mercosur deal to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The matter was ultimately referred to the ECJ, but she defended her decision to vote against such a move:

“I’m against the deal as a whole, not referring it to the European Court of Justice, in my eyes, created more certainty for, particularly our agricultural base. By sending it to the court, it literally ties our hands as legislators for up to two years… while it wasn’t an easy decision politically, it was, from a legislative standpoint, the right thing to do.”

Ms Walsh pointed to the precedent set in other trade deals, such as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada, which was also referred to the ECJ. She noted that once a Mercosur country signals approval at national level, the European Council and Commission could put a provisional agreement in place, a scenario she considers likely.

On the safeguards voted through last week, she said: “Fortunately, we just voted on safeguards this week. And now we have to lobby and make sure the commission and council agree, as well as Mercosur countries, that these safeguards come into force. While they’re voted on in the parliament, that doesn’t mean markets or countries will accept them.”

Asked what she would say to farmers who felt betrayed by her decision, Ms Walsh said: “Listen, I get it. I’ve been around rings and marts. I’ve met farmers, organisations, young and more seasoned farmers. My own father couldn’t understand, and he’s a part-time farmer. Many of them, once I explained, as I did there, understood. Some farmers felt betrayed, but when we had that honest conversation, a majority said that it wasn’t explained to them like that. But you will always have a cohort that are frustrated.”

Last week, Ms Walsh was appointed as the Parliament’s CAP (Common Agriculture Policy) lead negotiator on generational renewal. With only 12% of EU farmers under 35 and an average age of 58 in Ireland, she said protecting existing markets while managing trade deals was essential. She hoped that farmers would see her as a trusted ally.

Her visit to the county included meetings with LEADER, local councillors, a visit to a local school and businesses and time engaging with members of the public on a walkabout of Monaghan Town.

Bord Bia

Fine Gael’s Deputy David Maxwell and Cllr Pauric Clerkin, who is also Maxwell’s Parliamentary Assistant, accompanied Ms Walsh on the day. Maxwell and Clerkin also met with the IFA last week about the ongoing standoff between the organisation and Bord Bia. The IFA want Larry Murrins to step down as Bord Bia Chair because he admitted to using 1% Brazilian beef imports in his company Dawn Farm Foods.

Cllr Clerkin told the Celt: “We wanted to reassure the IFA that our door was open so they could continue to come in to us, have the hard discussions in relation to the beef sector and all sectors. We need to find a proper solution here that works for everybody, that doesn’t call for somebody’s head. We’re in a difficult situation, but we think with that dialogue we can find progress.” Deputy David Maxwell added: “Everybody needs to take two steps back here. No farmer needs to be standing outside Bord Bia. We need to get it sorted and the only way that’s going to happen is around the table with people negotiating.”

Benefits beyond beef

Deputy David Maxwell observed that Mercosur, in its broad term, was good for Ireland, but he drew a firm line on beef imports: “The importation of Brazilian beef is a no-no for me. When we don’t have traceability and the use of antibiotics, that’s a no-no for me.”

However, he noted that other sectors were urging progress: “A number of other businesses have been on to me complaining, asking are we doing the right thing, because Mercosur will help some businesses.”

The TD concluded by stressing the scale of the opportunity: “For those 99,000 tonnes of beef, we’re holding up billions in trade, which we need.”