Michael Fitzmaurice: Oppose Mercosur After Brazilian Beef Ban
Michael Fitzmaurice warns against ratifying the Mercosur trade deal after new evidence about Brazilian beef quality and traceability. He says the revelations threaten Irish and European farmers and consumer health and calls on MEPs to oppose ratification.
Michael Fitzmaurice recalls years of opposition from Independent Ireland, farmers and business people who protested the Mercosur deal, arguing it was a bad deal on health and fairness grounds.
Fitzmaurice points to recent findings that support his warnings: issues with traceability and the use of hormones and medicines banned in Europe, which he says show the meat was not fit for human consumption.
He warns European politicians that the coming ratification vote, after referral to the European Court, will be difficult to justify in light of the Brazilian beef ban and the evidence presented.
Fitzmaurice frames the issue as one of a level playing field: European farmers produce to high standards and consumers deserve safe products. He urges MEPs to oppose Mercosur to protect both farmers and public health.
Background: Independent Ireland and farmers' protests
Michael Fitzmaurice recalls years of opposition from Independent Ireland, farmers and business people who protested the Mercosur deal, arguing it was a bad deal on health and fairness grounds.
Evidence and health concerns
Fitzmaurice points to recent findings that support his warnings: issues with traceability and the use of hormones and medicines banned in Europe, which he says show the meat was not fit for human consumption.
Political implications
He warns European politicians that the coming ratification vote, after referral to the European Court, will be difficult to justify in light of the Brazilian beef ban and the evidence presented.
Farmers and consumers at stake
Fitzmaurice frames the issue as one of a level playing field: European farmers produce to high standards and consumers deserve safe products. He urges MEPs to oppose Mercosur to protect both farmers and public health.
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Transcript
For the last number of years, I, and indeed everyone in Independent Ireland, have fought this tooth and nail, the Mercosur deal. We fought it on the grounds of health. The farmers of Ireland turned up in their numbers, and business people as well, in Adelone, with a clear message that this deal was a bad deal. It has now been proved, everything that we had said, that this meat wasn't fit for human consumption, because of traceability, and because of hormones and medicines being used, that have been banned in Europe for a number of years. The politicians now, in Europe, when that vote comes, after it comes back from the European Court, will have fair head-scratching to do. Are you going to stand and ratify the Mercosur deal, after what we have seen now? Even the EU, and they tried to drive this as hard as they could, they have now stood back, and they have banned Brazilian beef. I would ask those politicians, and indeed Ciarán will continue the work, that when that vote comes in, make sure you press a knee, that you oppose the Mercosur deal. This isn't about we not liking opposition. This isn't about we not liking competition. This is about a fair playing field for all farmers, and European farmers are producing meat to a high quality standard, and it will not be accepted that a lesser standard can come in. That's not a loan. This isn't just a loan about farmers. This is about the consumer out there, and their health going forward.