Mayo TD welcomes Government’s decision to oppose Mercosur deal

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Keira Keogh, has welcomed the Government’s decision to oppose the European Union’s Mercosur Trade Agreement. Deputy Keogh said: “We in Fine Gael have been clear in relation to the Mercosur Agreement: we do not support it in its current form.

“There has been a clear commitment in the Programme for Government that we would oppose the deal that is on the table. Since then, our Ministers have engaged with their counterparts in like-minded countries that share our concerns. They have negotiated at great length to secure a better deal for Ireland, and while the EU has agreed to additional measures, unfortunately it is not enough to satisfy our citizens.

“I want to thank our Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, as well as Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, who have worked tirelessly in the interests of Irish farmers.

“I also want to acknowledge the many men and women in the farming community across County Mayo who have contacted my office, and spoken with me, to share their concerns. I agree with them: the necessary safeguards for Ireland are not in place.

“There are very valid concerns around production and health standards in South American imports to the EU that would undermine the superior quality of Irish beef. We have spent many years cultivating a product that is world-renowned and I don’t believe we can afford to sacrifice that.

“At the same time, Ireland has not received the commitments we sought on climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections.

“The Government’s decision to oppose this deal is the right move for our agricultural community in Mayo and the right move for Ireland” concluded Deputy Keogh.

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