Fitzmaurice and Mullooly protest EU-Mercosur deal in Brussels
Roscommon Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice and MEP Ciaran Mullooly were recently in Brussels to protest against the European Union (EU)-Mercosur trade agreement.
The two Independent Ireland politicians joined Irish farming organisations, including the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) led by Francie Gorman, in the European capital on Monday, December 9, to express their dissatisfaction with the deal.
The protest, organised in collaboration with European farming groups, underscores widespread outrage over the deal’s potential to devastate the Irish agricultural sector.
Speaking at the demonstration, Fitzmaurice condemned the agreement in the strongest possible terms.
“This deal sacrifices Irish farmers and rural communities for the benefit of other industries, particularly the German car sector. Our farmers have invested millions in environmental and animal welfare and poultry standards to produce food of the highest quality. Yet this agreement allows substandard imports, of poultry and hormone-treated beef from Mercosur countries, into EU markets. It’s a disgrace.”
Mullooly added: “The EU is asking European farmers to meet ever-stricter environmental standards while opening our markets to imports produced under far weaker regulations.”
“This is an outrageous double standard that undermines both sustainability and fairness. We are here today to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Irish farmers and demand action.”
Fitzmaurice called on An Taoiseach Simon Harris to conduct meetings with other EU member states who share similar concerns about the Mercosur trade deal. Fitzmaurice is also urging all political leaders in Ireland to unite in opposing this deal and standing up for Irish farmers.
Meanwhile, Mullooly has written to European Parliament Agriculture Committee Chair Veronika Vrecionová to demand that representatives from the European Commission attend next week’s committee meeting to address urgent concerns about the Mercosur deal.
He has requested detailed explanations on: safeguards (if any) to protect EU farmers from unfair competition; how the agreement aligns with EU commitments under the Green Deal and Paris Agreement; the risks posed by hormone-treated beef and other substandard imports entering EU markets; and the lack of transparency and consultation during negotiations.
Mullooly was also due to meet with MEPs from France, Poland, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands to build a coalition against the Mercosur trade deal, with the aim of amplifying farmers’ voices throughout Europe and ensuring the agreement undergoes full democratic scrutiny.
Mullooly pledged: “We will work closely with all farming organisations across Ireland to limit the devastating impact of this deal. Irish farmers deserve better than being sold out in secretive negotiations that prioritise profits over people.”
Fitzmaurice concluded: “This is not just about economics; it’s about fairness, sustainability, and protecting rural communities across Europe. We will not stand by while Irish farmers are sacrificed for political expediency.”