Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has highlighted concerns regarding the Mercosur trade deal during a meeting with Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue.

The European Parliament agriculture committee member warned that the deal would allow Brazil to flood the European market and ultimately lead to an extended period of depressed prices for farmers.

Banned chemicals

MacManus said: “In addition to hurting farmers, the deal flies in the face of our environmental commitments. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has added her voice to those who recognise this contradiction.

“The Green New Deal commits to no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, yet approval of Mercosur would increase emissions by 1.3 gigatons, 3% of annual emissions.”

I cannot stand over any deal, which raises public health concerns for EU citizens

The MEP also claimed the deal is bad for consumers, citing that almost 200 chemicals banned in the EU are commonplace in the Brazilian agricultural production.

Health concerns

Sinn Féin has said it will continue to seek a commitment from Government that it will not support the deal which McManus describes as ensuring German car manufactures get access to the South American market.

“I cannot stand over any deal, which raises public health concerns for EU citizens. I remind Minister McConalogue that his party, joined with Sinn Féin to reject Mercosur in the Dáil last year,” MacManus concluded.

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