Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has stated that Government remains committed to the Programme for Government pledge of opposing the “current Mercosur trade deal”.

The minister’s statement came after the European Commission published a series of proposals on Wednesday seeking the approval needed for the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement and an updated trade deal with Mexico to take effect.

Minister Heydon is to now assess the proposals on the largest trade deal ever agreed by the EU in detail to see if they provide “any of the additional assurances required”.

He said that both he and Tánaiste Simon Harris have “actively engaged” with the Commission and their fellow EU ministers to voice Ireland’s concerns with the Mercosur deal, particularly around the impact it could have on the EU beef market.

“We have repeatedly emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally-binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections,” the minister commented

Specific alarm was voiced by the minister with the 99,000t quota of South American beef that have been proposed to see a tariff rate of just 7.5%.

“The Government also has concerns on the preferential access being given to Mercosur, if South American farmers are not subject to the same sustainable farming requirements as our own farmers,” he continued.

“I have repeatedly emphasised that beef in particular is a very sensitive sector which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement.

“We will of course examine the proposal in detail to see if it provides any of the additional assurances required.

“Pending that examination, Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government: ‘Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal”.

Minister Heydon concluded by stating that Government will continue its engagement with “like-minded countries” on these issues.

“I will be in Copenhagen this weekend at the Informal meeting of agri fish council and I will meet again with my counterparts who share those concerns on Mercosur.”