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Opposition to the Mercosur trade deal is growing across Europe, according to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA).
In a campaign to build a European alliance against the deal, an IFA delegation travelled to Brussels to meet with representatives from the French, Belgian and Polish farmer organisations. The alliance has put forward proposals on an EU action plan against the Mercosur deal.
“This deal will require the approval of the European Parliament. We believe that resistance to this sell-out deal is growing across Europe,” IFA president Joe Healy said.
The IFA president was joined by livestock chair Angus Woods and poultry chair Andy Boylan. Woods branded the deal a sell-out of European beef farmers while Boylan said it would undermine European quality assurance.
MEPs
Having met with Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness this week, the IFA will meet with all newly elected Irish MEPs in Strasbourg next week. Leaders of COPA (the umbrella body of European farm organisations) will meet next week to discuss the deal.
The IFA also welcomed the passage of a Sinn Féin motion opposing the Mercosur deal. Healy said it sent a strong message to the Taoiseach and the Government that Ireland must reject the deal.
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