The Government will spend up to €200,000 to carry out an economic and sustainability impact assessment (ESIA) of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement on Ireland.
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has tendered the contract for the assessment, promised in the wake of a political agreement for an EU-Mercosur trade deal over the summer.
The ESIA will provide an analysis of the potential economic, social, human rights and environmental impacts of the trade agreement on Ireland. One of the key issues to be analysed will be the impacts for agriculture, particularly the beef and dairy sectors.
Agriculture
The Department of Business has requested a specific chapter in the assessment for agriculture, along with small and medium enterprises, consumers and potential spill overs or third countries.
As part of the environmental analysis, the impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, land use, and soil quality will be assessed. Particular attention will be paid to deforestation linked to agricultural commodities.
Consultation
In addition to the analysis, the Department of Business also wants a consultation process to be carried out with key stakeholders and affected people.
The successful tenderer will have six months to complete the report.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said the independent consultants would be commissioned in early 2020, in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue.
Minister Creed said it is the Government's intention to have the assessment completed by summer 2020.
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