Government failure to attend Mercosur meeting unacceptable – Martin Kenny TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Kenny TD, has described it as unacceptable that the Irish Government was not present at a meeting last week discussing concerns and opposition to the Mercosur trade deal.

Teachta Kenny said:

“It is very concerning that the Irish Government was not in attendance at a meeting of ten EU countries who either oppose the Mercosur deal or have serious concerns about it.

“Sinn Féin have been consistent in its opposition to the deal. It is a bad deal for Irish farmers, particularly for Suckler and beef farmers.  It is unacceptable that the Minister for Agriculture or someone from government did not attend this meeting and represent the interests of Irish farmers.

“The government have only ever been halfhearted in their opposition to the deal, and it is now clear that the Mercosur deal is not something they are genuinely concerned about.

“I believe the Minister for Agriculture has questions to answer as to why he was not at the meeting, and whether he was invited.  Furthermore, will he and the government support France’s proposal to include an ‘emergency brake’ on agricultural imports – a mechanism that could be triggered to restrict imports if EU markets were destabilised.

“The Minister has tried to downplay the effect that the deal will have on Irish Agriculture, but the reality is that Irish farmers will have to compete with imports of South American beef, which is produced using inferior animal welfare standards and regulations, into the EU.

“It will impact Irish agriculture. The Minister needs to face this reality rather than pretending that it will be fine.

“The trade war and tariffs also have the potential to severely impact Irish and EU agriculture. The Minister cannot take a lackadaisical approach as he has with the Mercosur deal.”