Mayo farmers encouraged to attend upcoming Mercosur protest

The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) is encouraging its members and all farmers to attend the Independent Ireland Mercosur protest, which will be held in Athlone this Saturday, January 12. 

National President Pheilim Molloy emphasised the importance of farmers' attendance, stating that “we need to send a strong message to our Government and our MEPs that this deal is unacceptable.”

Molloy stated that the INHFA has consistently expressed opposition to the EU-Mercosur deal, citing concerns about its potential impact on the Irish beef sector, particularly suckler farmers. He said the organisation believes the deal would pose a significant threat to producers who operate under EU environmental, animal welfare, and traceability standards. 

If ratified, Molloy stated that the agreement would allow increased volumes of beef imports from Mercosur countries, which he claims operate under lower regulatory standards than those required of EU farmers. He argued that this would place Irish suckler farmers at a competitive disadvantage.

The INHFA leader also took issue with the proposed safeguards and protections that proponents say will be built into the deal. Here Molloy detailed “how the analysis the organisation has conducted indicates that these safeguards are quite weak, will be difficult to implement, and ultimately unenforceable.” The policing mechanisms in Mercosur countries are, he continued, “not sufficiently robust to ensure that imported beef meets the standards demanded of EU producers and to pretend otherwise is to mislead both farmers and consumers.”

Molloy further stated that the organisation believes Irish beef farmers are  “being used as a sacrificial pawn in a much bigger geopolitical chess game, and while some sectors may benefit from increased export, it is the Irish suckler farmer — the backbone of our rural economy and custodian of our landscapes that will pay the price.”

The INHFA President concluded by calling on Irish politicians across all parties to oppose the agreement and encouraged farmers and rural communities, including those from Mayo, to attend the Athlone protest to express their concerns.

READ MORE: Mercosur deal will sound the death knell for Mayo rural communities – Maxwell