Danny Healy-Rae: Who Is Representing Farmers at the European Court?
Danny Healy-Rae questions who is representing farmers at the European Court in the ongoing Mercosur dispute, pressing for clarity on legal aid and advocacy for the agricultural community. He highlights that the case has been brought by the European Parliament against the European Commission and asks how farmers' interests will be put forward.
Danny Healy-Rae demands to know what legal aid is in place and who will represent farmers at the European Court, stressing that the agricultural community is totally and absolutely against the Mercosur agreement. He emphasises the need to put forward the case of farmers and the Lincoln Breed of the country.
He draws attention to the legal proceedings being between the European Parliament and the European Commission and notes that implementation of the trade provisions will be a decision for the Commission and Member States who supported the deal, potentially occurring despite national votes against it.
While acknowledging that measures exist to protect farmers, particularly beef farmers facing price cuts, he insists that the central question remains unanswered: who will represent and defend farmers' interests in the court process.
Danny Healy-Rae calls for clear answers on representation and legal aid so that farmers’ concerns can be formally presented in the European Court. The spotlight is on accountability and on ensuring the agricultural community’s voice is heard during the implementation of the Mercosur agreement.
Representation and legal challenge
Danny Healy-Rae demands to know what legal aid is in place and who will represent farmers at the European Court, stressing that the agricultural community is totally and absolutely against the Mercosur agreement. He emphasises the need to put forward the case of farmers and the Lincoln Breed of the country.
Procedure and responsibility
He draws attention to the legal proceedings being between the European Parliament and the European Commission and notes that implementation of the trade provisions will be a decision for the Commission and Member States who supported the deal, potentially occurring despite national votes against it.
Impact on farmers
While acknowledging that measures exist to protect farmers, particularly beef farmers facing price cuts, he insists that the central question remains unanswered: who will represent and defend farmers' interests in the court process.
Implications and demand for clarity
Danny Healy-Rae calls for clear answers on representation and legal aid so that farmers’ concerns can be formally presented in the European Court. The spotlight is on accountability and on ensuring the agricultural community’s voice is heard during the implementation of the Mercosur agreement.
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Transcript
The agricultural community are totally and absolutely against Mercosur. It's been referred to the European Court. What legal aid, or who's representing us at that court? Do we have representation there? Because we surely should have to put forward our case and to forward the case of the farmers, the Lincoln Breed of the country. The case there has been brought by the European Parliament against the Commission, but the practice is, and this is a decision for the Commission and the Member States who supported it, to implement the trade provisions of the Mercosur Agreement whenever that happens in the coming period of time, notwithstanding the fact that we voted against it. And look, there are measures to protect farmers, particularly beef farmers, in the case of price cuts. That's not the question I asked you. Who's representing us? Do we have representation? The case is between the European Parliament and the European Commission.