Carol Nolan: Calls Mercosur 'Poisonous Deal' Threatening Farmers
Carol Nolan addressed the minister and Parliament to oppose the Mercosur trade deal, calling it a "poisonous deal" that would devastate Irish farming. She warned that ratification by qualified majority would signal contempt for the sovereignty of Parliament and destroy farmers' livelihoods.
Carol Nolan described the agreement as "Mercosur madness" and said she remains strongly opposed, arguing the EU Commission has demonstrated a willingness to smother the rural economy and does not care about outcomes for Ireland.
She highlighted that the deal allows 99,000 tonnes of tariff-free beef annually, primarily from Brazil and Argentina, and warned this would undercut Irish farmers' prices amid current high market values and threaten the sector's viability.
Carol Nolan raised food safety worries, noting that South American meat often uses growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics banned in the EU and could potentially increase carcinogenic risks for Irish consumers. She stressed Ireland could lose out disproportionately due to its reliance on high value, standards, compliance and farming.
She called for a clear commitment from government to oppose the deal and send a strong message of opposition to the EU Commission now, urging ministers to get off the fence and stand with farmers. She warned that ratification by qualified majority would signal contempt for the sovereignty of Parliament and the livelihoods of farmers.
Opposition to Mercosur
Carol Nolan described the agreement as "Mercosur madness" and said she remains strongly opposed, arguing the EU Commission has demonstrated a willingness to smother the rural economy and does not care about outcomes for Ireland.
Economic impact on farmers and markets
She highlighted that the deal allows 99,000 tonnes of tariff-free beef annually, primarily from Brazil and Argentina, and warned this would undercut Irish farmers' prices amid current high market values and threaten the sector's viability.
Food safety and standards concerns
Carol Nolan raised food safety worries, noting that South American meat often uses growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics banned in the EU and could potentially increase carcinogenic risks for Irish consumers. She stressed Ireland could lose out disproportionately due to its reliance on high value, standards, compliance and farming.
Political demand for action
She called for a clear commitment from government to oppose the deal and send a strong message of opposition to the EU Commission now, urging ministers to get off the fence and stand with farmers. She warned that ratification by qualified majority would signal contempt for the sovereignty of Parliament and the livelihoods of farmers.
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Transcript
Minister, whatever way you slice it, this Mercosur madness is a disastrous deal for Ireland, and I remain strongly opposed to it. If it is pushed through and ratified by qualified majority, then the EU Commission will have very clearly signalled its contempt not just for the sovereignty of this Parliament, but for the livelihoods of the farmers that it will destroy. Far from being our ally and our friend, this Commission has demonstrated a willingness to smother our rural economy in its sleep. It simply does not care what the outcomes are for Ireland. It is quite literally a poisonous deal. As we know, South American meat often uses growth, promoting hormones and antibiotics banned in the EU, potentially increasing carcinogenic risks for Irish consumers. The arguments against this deal have been rehearsed so many times. In fact, the deal has managed to unite farmers and environmentalists in their opposition to it, but for very different reasons. There is no doubt whatsoever that we stand to lose out disproportionately due to our reliance on high value, standards, compliance and farming. The critical issues have not been mitigated despite our clear warnings to the EU Commission. Some of those warnings include the following. The deal allows 99,000 tonnes of tariff-free beef, primarily from Brazil and Argentina, not just as once-off but annually, undercutting Irish farmers' prices amid current high market values and threatening our sector viability. What we need here is a commitment from government. Government must stand with our farming community. This deal must be opposed and a strong opposition, a message of strong opposition has to be sent to the EU Commission now. You need to get off the fence and stand with our farmers. Thank you very much. Thank you.