ICSA will mount a protest at the gates of Leinster House on Thursday, 13 November at 11am, calling on politicians to stop talking and start acting on Mercosur.
ICSA president Sean McNamara said, “Our Government keeps telling us they’re against Mercosur – and yes, they have raised concerns in Brussels. But it has been little more than going through the motions. Meanwhile, Europe is ploughing ahead with a deal that will swamp our market with cheap beef from South America and destroy the viability of Irish suckler and beef farming.”
“These so-called ‘safeguards’ that have been spoken about are nothing more than a smokescreen – promises that only kick in after the damage is done. We now know that beef prices could fall by up to 45% in five years, and still the EU would not be obliged to act. How is that protection? It is a green light to wipe out Irish family farms.
Rural communities built on beef production will pay the price while South American imports flood our shelves with weaker climate rules, lower traceability, and poorer animal welfare standards.”
Continuing Mr McNamara said, “In recent days, some Irish MEPs have taken a strong stand by backing a legal challenge on Mercosur – but not all. This challenge asks the European Court of Justice to rule on whether the deal breaches EU law, including food safety safeguards and attempts to bypass national ratification. If some of our representatives can take decisive action like this, why aren’t the rest doing the same? And why aren’t Government MEPs and ministers uniting to defend Irish farming? If they truly believe Mercosur is bad for Ireland, they must stand firm and stop it.”
“Our politicians claim to stand with farm families – well now is the moment to prove it. Allowing this deal through while proclaiming support for rural Ireland would be pure hypocrisy. This Government must stop playing games with our future.”
“Every farmer who wants to protect their livelihood should join us. Together we must send one clear message: NO to Mercosur – YES to the future of Irish farming.”
ENDS
