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

THE EU-Mercosur trade deal will sound the death knell for rural Ireland if it is ratified according to a Mayo councillor, who called on people in the west to attend a national day of protest.

A national protest against the Mercosur trade deal, organised by Independent Ireland with the backing of the major farming bodies, will take place in Athlone on Saturday morning with thousands of people expected to attend to voice their opposition to the trade deal between the EU and five South American countries.

Louisburgh-based councillor, Chris Maxwell who is organising a bus to bring people to the event told The Mayo News that if the Mercosur deal goes ahead it will have a devastating impact on rural communities.

The Independent Ireland councillor added that Irish farmers will not be able to compete with cheaper beef and poultry imports from Brazil and Argentina and called on the Irish government to work with other governments to block the agreement.

'Bad deal'

“We want this deal stopped because it is a bad deal for Ireland and a bad deal for rural Ireland. Our government seems to have gone silent on it even though during the last election they were all against it and now there isn't a word about it.

“This national protest is for everyone and is not just a farmers protest. It is a show of solidarity for rural Ireland and we have to fight for its survival. If this comes in it will be the straw that breaks the back of rural Ireland.

“We have the finest food in this country and in Europe and we cannot compete with beef coming in full of antibiotics and angel dust and with no traceability. We have the best traceability from farm to fork but this stuff we know nothing about. It is not a level playing field.

READ: Work-related fatalities rose by 300 percent in Mayo during 2025

“We have the best in the world but they still want to import the worst in the world for the sake of Germany selling a few cars to South America. It does not make sense and is beyond a joke.

“It will sound the death knell of rural Ireland and the farming community and people will need to be aware of what is coming down the road if Mersocur comes in,” he said.

European farmers have voiced their opposition to the Mersocur agreement and it was hoped that countries opposed to the deal may be able to form a 'blocking minority'. However, in recent days reports suggest that the deal will be signed in the coming weeks.

'Gone silent'

Cllr Maxwell claimed that the Irish government has gone silent on the matter and claimed it is another example of the government not listening to the concerns of rural communities. He said the national protest will be another platform for people to voice their concerns at what is happening in rural communities.

“Our fishing industry has been decimated and they are trying to stop us cutting turf while at the same time the cost of fuel is driving the cost of living upwards. The farming community is the backbone of rural Ireland and if it goes under everything is lost.

“We can send millions to Ukraine and give millions to NGOs but we cannot get our roads fixed. The government is forgetting about its own people and this is part of what this protest is about. People are beginning to wake up to what is going on and people have had enough and will not take it any longer. You have to look after your own people.

“This protest is a day where people can voice anger and frustration at what is going on. This is not just a farming protest it is for everyone depending on livelihoods in rural Ireland. We are fighting for the survival of rural Ireland and this may be the last chance to voice our opinions and try to stop this before it goes ahead,” he added.

Anyone wishing to attend the protest can contact Cllr Maxwell on 087 2267906.