Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said a 'high bar' would need to be met for the Mercosur deal to be opposed collectively by EU member states. \ Finbarr O’Rourke
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Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is not yet sure of the impact that the collapse of the French government on Monday could have on the bloc of EU member states opposed to the free trade deal with Mercosur.
France had been among the most vocal member states opposing the deal's ratification in the months leading up to its government’s fall.
“In terms of Mercosur and [France’s] approach to it, the truth is there has been rumours of a softening of some that opposition to Mercosur that had been there,” the Minister told the Irish Farmers Journal this week.
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“It is a high bar in terms of countries looking to stop its ratification, but with the uncertainty now [in France], I’m not sure.”
Minister Heydon said that he will continue to engage with “like-minded” countries whose stated position is still opposed to the deal, but that he is now seeking clarity from the European Commission on the details of the emergency brake proposed if South American beef undercuts EU prices.
“We have significant questions, questions we want answers to as to how that legal instrument would integrate or connect with the existing agreement that is there.”
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Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is not yet sure of the impact that the collapse of the French government on Monday could have on the bloc of EU member states opposed to the free trade deal with Mercosur.
France had been among the most vocal member states opposing the deal's ratification in the months leading up to its government’s fall.
“In terms of Mercosur and [France’s] approach to it, the truth is there has been rumours of a softening of some that opposition to Mercosur that had been there,” the Minister told the Irish Farmers Journal this week.
“It is a high bar in terms of countries looking to stop its ratification, but with the uncertainty now [in France], I’m not sure.”
Minister Heydon said that he will continue to engage with “like-minded” countries whose stated position is still opposed to the deal, but that he is now seeking clarity from the European Commission on the details of the emergency brake proposed if South American beef undercuts EU prices.
“We have significant questions, questions we want answers to as to how that legal instrument would integrate or connect with the existing agreement that is there.”
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