Irish MEPs not happy as Mercosur deal fast-tracked by European Commission

Two Midlands-North-West MEPs have sharply criticised the European Commission following confirmation that the trade elements of the EU–Mercosur agreement will be provisionally applied before a full vote of the European Parliament.

The decision comes after nine Irish MEPs voted in January to refer the Mercosur deal to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), seeking legal clarification before ratification.

Maria Walsh, a Fine Gael MEP and full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, said the referral had “backfired” and warned at the time that it would not block the deal but could instead accelerate its implementation.

“While I’m bitterly disappointed with today’s news, it comes as no surprise to me that the Commission has decided to provisionally implement the Mercosur trade deal,” she said. “I warned that the court referral would not block this deal — it would only change the route by which it comes into force. MEPs who voted in favour of the referral should feel the full weight of their decisions today.”

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Walsh argued that although provisional application is legally within the Commission’s powers, it goes against the spirit of cooperation between EU institutions. She said MEPs should have had their say before any part of the agreement was activated.

“The referral to the ECJ was a political gesture dressed up as strategy,” she added. “Those who supported it knew it was highly unlikely to deliver meaningful protections for Irish farmers. In fact, we now find ourselves in a worse position — facing earlier implementation and prolonged uncertainty for our agricultural sector.”

However, fellow Midlands-North-West representative Ciaran Mullooly strongly condemned the Commission’s move, describing it as a serious undermining of democratic process and legal certainty.

“I strongly condemn the decision by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to proceed with the provisional application of the EU–Mercosur Trade Agreement,” he said.

Mullooly argued that advancing provisional application while the matter remains before the ECJ undermines the authority of the Court and disregards the institutional balance set out in EU treaties.

“To advance implementation in the absence of judicial determination undermines the authority of the Court and disregards the institutional balance established under the EU Treaties,” he said.

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He also called on the Irish Government to clarify its position, noting that the Commission indicated Member States were consulted prior to the move.

“Did Ireland object? Or did it acquiesce? Irish farmers and rural communities deserve full transparency,” he said.

Mullooly warned that the decision could have serious implications for Irish agriculture, particularly the beef sector, which has long voiced concerns about increased imports from South America.

“Democracy, institutional respect and the rule of law must remain the cornerstones of the European Union,” he said. “When those principles are weakened, so too is public trust.”

The Mercosur agreement, negotiated between the EU and a bloc of South American countries including Brazil and Argentina, has been controversial in Ireland due to concerns about farming standards, environmental protections and market competition.

While provisional application would allow certain trade measures to take effect, the full agreement would still require formal ratification by the European Parliament and Member States.

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