The Irish Government is looking at the Mercosur trade deal “in the round” in terms of the recent negotiations around Ireland’s nitrates derogation which was extended for three years, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.
Speaking to reporters at the European Council in Brussels as farmers from all over Europe protested over the trade deal, CAP and red tape in farming, An Taoiseach said that negotiations on Mercosur are ongoing.
“So we’re going to continue as we said we would to be part of those discussions.
“Safeguards have been achieved and the [European] Commission has been responsive in respect of a lot of the issues that have been raised in respect of safeguards.
Tough negotiations
“But, as I say, we’ve also looked at it in the round in terms of the tough negotiations we had on the derogation, which were very, very tough. But given the grass-based nature of Irish agriculture and so on, we managed to achieve a three-year derogation,” he said.
Martin said that Ireland has worked with like-minded countries in relation to the deal.
He also said that there are three to four issues that are central to agriculture.
“The derogation - it was a very important issue, we’ve had very constructive engagement with the Commission on that and negotiations to achieve a three-year extension which should not be underestimated on the impact on agriculture more generally.
“We have the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) and the budget which, I think, is going to be a very big issue over the next 12 months because as it’s currently drafted, it’s not satisfactory from our view or for Irish farmers in terms of the amount and the size of that budget and we do need to increase that.
The derogation - it was a very important issue, we’ve had very constructive engagement with the Commission on that
“And then we have Mercosur and the SPS safeguards, we’re still working on those, because there are concerns about products coming in that do not meet European standards.”
He said trade has been very good for Ireland.
“We’re conscious of that, but we will work with other like-minded countries,” said.
As reported in this Thursday’s Irish Farmers Journal, the Government is facing a rural revolt as it continues to hedge its position on Mercosur.
Independent TDs supporting the Government are unhappy with its stance on the Mercosur deal.
Some have been saying that the Government has admitted it is compromised on Mercosur because of the concessions gained from the Commission on the nitrates derogation.
Tánaiste
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday afternoon, An Tánaiste Simon Harris said he believes it to be “highly unlikely” that there will be a vote on Mercosur before the end of the year.
“I think that’s indicative of the fact that I don’t believe that a blocking minority has disappeared.
“The Programme for Government says two things; that the Government will oppose the Mercosur deal and, secondly, it says we’ll work with like-minded countries in relation to that.
The Government has significant concerns in relation to Mercosur in its current form
“The Government has significant concerns in relation to Mercosur in its current form,” he said in response to a question from Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice.
“The Taoiseach this morning in Brussels made it clear that while there have been some safeguards produced, I think he used the phrase 'additionality' and needing to see more in relation to that. The work continues.”
He questioned once again whether a blocking minority exists between enough EU countries to block the deal, but said that Ireland would “not be the one to dissolve a blocking minority”.
Read more
Watch: farmer protest in Brussels
Jury still out on whether blocking minority exists on Mercosur deal – Harris
The Irish Government is looking at the Mercosur trade deal “in the round” in terms of the recent negotiations around Ireland’s nitrates derogation which was extended for three years, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.
Speaking to reporters at the European Council in Brussels as farmers from all over Europe protested over the trade deal, CAP and red tape in farming, An Taoiseach said that negotiations on Mercosur are ongoing.
“So we’re going to continue as we said we would to be part of those discussions.
“Safeguards have been achieved and the [European] Commission has been responsive in respect of a lot of the issues that have been raised in respect of safeguards.
Tough negotiations
“But, as I say, we’ve also looked at it in the round in terms of the tough negotiations we had on the derogation, which were very, very tough. But given the grass-based nature of Irish agriculture and so on, we managed to achieve a three-year derogation,” he said.
Martin said that Ireland has worked with like-minded countries in relation to the deal.
He also said that there are three to four issues that are central to agriculture.
“The derogation - it was a very important issue, we’ve had very constructive engagement with the Commission on that and negotiations to achieve a three-year extension which should not be underestimated on the impact on agriculture more generally.
“We have the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) and the budget which, I think, is going to be a very big issue over the next 12 months because as it’s currently drafted, it’s not satisfactory from our view or for Irish farmers in terms of the amount and the size of that budget and we do need to increase that.
The derogation - it was a very important issue, we’ve had very constructive engagement with the Commission on that
“And then we have Mercosur and the SPS safeguards, we’re still working on those, because there are concerns about products coming in that do not meet European standards.”
He said trade has been very good for Ireland.
“We’re conscious of that, but we will work with other like-minded countries,” said.
As reported in this Thursday’s Irish Farmers Journal, the Government is facing a rural revolt as it continues to hedge its position on Mercosur.
Independent TDs supporting the Government are unhappy with its stance on the Mercosur deal.
Some have been saying that the Government has admitted it is compromised on Mercosur because of the concessions gained from the Commission on the nitrates derogation.
Tánaiste
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday afternoon, An Tánaiste Simon Harris said he believes it to be “highly unlikely” that there will be a vote on Mercosur before the end of the year.
“I think that’s indicative of the fact that I don’t believe that a blocking minority has disappeared.
“The Programme for Government says two things; that the Government will oppose the Mercosur deal and, secondly, it says we’ll work with like-minded countries in relation to that.
The Government has significant concerns in relation to Mercosur in its current form
“The Government has significant concerns in relation to Mercosur in its current form,” he said in response to a question from Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice.
“The Taoiseach this morning in Brussels made it clear that while there have been some safeguards produced, I think he used the phrase 'additionality' and needing to see more in relation to that. The work continues.”
He questioned once again whether a blocking minority exists between enough EU countries to block the deal, but said that Ireland would “not be the one to dissolve a blocking minority”.
Read more
Watch: farmer protest in Brussels
Jury still out on whether blocking minority exists on Mercosur deal – Harris
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