Speaking as MEPs returned to Brussels this week, Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú cautioned Ursula Von Der Leyen not to take the Mercosur vote in the European Parliament for granted. Ní Mhurchú said that the vote by member states to approve Mercosur does not mark the end of the process, but rather the start of lobbying efforts ahead of a critical vote in the European Parliament
The Ireland South MEP stressed that the process is not yet complete and she urged her fellow Irish MEPs to work together to lobby colleagues in the European Parliament
“Between now and that vote, I will be engaging with colleagues from across the political spectrum to campaign for a no vote on this deal. We must communicate to our colleagues that a better deal is possible, one which does not undermine and threaten our farmers”
Ní Mhurchú said the agreement would disproportionately impact Irish farmers and rural communities, particularly in her Ireland South constituency and she urged her fellow MEPs to consider the public health and environmental risks of allowing large amounts of Mercosur beef into EU markets.
Ní Mhurchú highlighted the fact that Irish agriculture operates to some of the highest environmental, animal welfare, and food safety standards globally, with farmers having made significant investments to meet these requirements.
“It is fundamentally unfair to expect Irish farmers, who comply with some of the strictest standards in the world, to compete with imports produced under far lower regulatory requirements,” she said.
She also pointed to serious concerns around traceability issues with Mercosur beef and public health concerns around the use of illegal hormones and antibiotics in the production of cheap Mercosur beef.
Ní Mhurchú confirmed that she will continue to campaign against the Mercosur deal in the lead-up to the European Parliament vote and urged fellow MEPs to work together to oppose it.
“I stand firmly with Irish farmers and rural communities and will do everything in my power to oppose this agreement,” she said.
ENDS:
