Kilkenny TD hosts emergency cross party briefing on the risks of Mercosur trade deal

Sinn Fein TD for Carlow - Kilkenny, Natasha Newsome Drennan, has hosted an emergency cross party briefing on the risks for posed by Mercosur trade deal in Leinster House.

Deputy Newsome Drennan said: "Sinn Fein has been consistent in its opposition to the Mercosur trade deal because it is a bad deal for Irish farmers and will put the future of Irish family farms at risk. I have grown increasingly concerns at the lack of awareness of the harm that this trade deals poses for rural Ireland.

“I have organised this briefing so that Oireachtas members and particularly government members can hear from the concerns that our farming community have and how this deal will impact their livelihoods.

"Representatives from the IFA, ICSA and INHFA laid out clearly that Mercosur in its current form will devastate rural Ireland and our family farms.

“This deal will see 99,000 tonnes of South American beef and 180,000 tonnes of poultry imported into the EU. We all know the issues regarding animal welfare standards and environmental standards in South America and how they conflict with the standards Irish farmers must adhere to.

"The use of banned growth hormones is rampant across Mercosur states, it should be made clear to the public these meats are more carcinogenic and poses a clear health risk.

“This is not a fair playing field and will result in the loss of jobs in the Irish and EU Agriculture sector.  The so-called handbrake to protect Agri-sector if the market is distorted as a result of this deal, does not go far enough to protect the farming community.

“It is expected that there will be at least one vote on the Mercosur deal before Christmas and we are calling on the Irish government to listen to our farmers tomorrow and oppose this deal at the EU council meeting.

"Considering the vital role of agriculture across Carlow and Kilkenny, it was disappointing to see none of the other TD’s from Carlow or Kilkenny attended this briefing.

“Government must stand by Irish farmers, they must work with other likeminded EU states to oppose this deal.”