Irish MEPs split on EU-Australia Trade Deal as farmer concerns grow

A newly agreed EU-Australia trade deal has been broadly welcomed by North-West MEPs as a boost for Ireland’s economy, but concerns remain over its potential impact on the agricultural sector.

The agreement, announced by Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on March 24, is expected to increase EU exports to Australia by 33% over the next decade, with sectors such as dairy, pharmaceuticals and chemicals set to benefit.

MEP Maria Walsh said the deal presents an important opportunity for Ireland, particularly at a time of global uncertainty.

“Overall, I believe the EU-Australia trade deal is a win for the Irish economy and should be welcomed by consumers, exporters and policymakers,” she said. “As a small, open economy, these agreements can offer a lifeline to Irish businesses, and our dairy sector in particular could see significant gains.”

According to projections, EU dairy exports could increase by up to 48% over the next ten years.

However, MEP Walsh stressed the need for strong protections for Irish farmers, particularly in the beef and sheep sectors. She noted that while Australia had initially sought tariff-free access for higher volumes, the EU negotiated limits of 30,600 tonnes of beef and 25,000 tonnes of lamb.

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“There are inherent risks with any trade deal,” she said. “My priority will be to ensure strong safeguards are in place to protect Irish farmers.”

The agreement includes a safeguard mechanism allowing the EU to take action if imports surge and threaten local producers.

However, fellow MEP Ciaran Mullooly urged caution, warning that the cumulative impact of multiple trade deals could have serious consequences for Irish agriculture.

Speaking from the European Parliament, he said the deal should not be approved until a full assessment is carried out.

“It’s the cumulative effect of these agreements that concerns me,” he said. “When you add together imports from Australia, Mercosur, New Zealand and Canada, the potential impact on Irish beef and sheep farmers becomes clear.”

MEP Mullooly also highlighted concerns around Australia’s existing trade access to the UK market, which he said could further affect Irish exports.

“There is dual access into both the EU and the UK, and this needs careful examination,” he said.

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He called on the European Commission to undertake a comprehensive analysis of how multiple trade agreements interact and affect the market.

Despite differing views, both MEPs agreed that the coming months will be critical in shaping how the deal is implemented and ensuring it strikes a balance between economic opportunity and protecting Ireland’s vital farming sector.