23-05-2025
Sinn Féin: Commission ‘not concerned' for beef farmers over Mercosur
The impact of the Mercosur trade deal, between South American countries and the European Union (EU), on Irish beef farmers is 'not a concern for the EU Commission' according to a Sinn Féin TD.
The party's TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Natasha Newsome Drennan, was speaking after a meeting between Oireachtas members and representatives of the European Commission on the Mercosur Trade Agreement at Leinster House this week.
The controversial trade agreement would allow an additional 99,000t of beef enter the EU tariff-free from Mercosur countries Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
The political agreement will open up the EU market to goods from Mercosur, but limits imports from those countries of 'sensitive agricultural products' such as beef, ethanol, pork, honey, sugar and poultry.
Natasha Newsome Drennan TD
Mercosur
Deputy Newsome Drennan said: ''I was shocked by their attitude, and at the utter lack of regard or concern expressed by the EU Commission representatives for Irish beef farmers.
''I outlined how across Ireland and the EU, farmers and those working in the agri-food sector adhere to the highest of environmental and animal welfare regulations, putting our produce at a world class standard – but this comes at a cost to the producer.
'Farmers that are already struggling with rising costs.
''I raised several concerns with the EU Commission representatives such as concerns around the [possible] presence of banned hormones in this imported beef and that the Irish beef sector could lose up to €130 million,' the Sinn Féin TD added.
Deputy Newsome Drennan asked the European Commission representatives about what has been done to address concerns that cheaper imports from Mercosur countries could destabilise EU farmers thereby putting livelihoods at risk.
''With little to no concern shown for beef farmer, they acknowledged that beef farmers will suffer under this deal,' she continued.
''From their replies – it is clear that the commission [has] little to no concern for Irish beef farmers; little regard to the environmental damage that Mercosur will do.
''From what I can see, their main priority is to ensure the German car and chemical industry have unfettered access to these South America countries.
''We need to see the Irish Government taking a firm stand against Mercosur and start standing up for Irish farmers,' she concluded.
