Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny confirms Sinn Féin’s attendance at Athlone Mercosur protest

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo/Leitrim TD Martin Kenny has confirmed that Sinn Féin representatives will attend a major protest, organised by Independent Ireland, against the Mercosur trade deal in Athlone, on Saturday next, January 10 saying the deal threatens the future of the Irish family farm, Irish rural jobs, consumer confidence and the environmental standards people in Ireland rightly expect.

Confirming his party’s attendance at the protest Deputy Kenny said, “Sinn Féin will stand with farmers, farm families and rural communities in Athlone on Saturday 10 January to oppose the EU-Mercosur deal. This deal is a direct threat to the future of the Irish family farm, to Irish rural jobs, to Irish consumer confidence and to the environmental standards people in Ireland rightly expect.”

Calling on the Irish Government to vote against the Mercosur deal, Deputy Kenny said, “The government cannot continue to fudge its position on this major issue. It must vote against Mercosur and it must work actively with like-minded member states to form a blocking minority to stop this deal at EU level.

“That is what Sinn Féin has demanded in the Dáil and it is what we will keep demanding until the government finally stands up for Irish farming families and Irish consumers.”

Outlining the reasons why he and his party are opposed to the Mercosur deal, Deputy Kenny highlighted the lower costs associated for farmers in South America and also expressed concerns about food safety.

“The core issue is fairness and safety standards,”Deputy Kenny insisted, adding, “Irish farmers are being asked to compete against imports produced to different rules, with weaker enforcement and lower costs, while Irish producers are held to ever-higher standards. That is not ‘free trade’ – it is rigged trade.”

“Sinn Féin has been consistently opposed to Mercosur because it risks undercutting Irish beef and other farm sectors, and because it raises serious concerns around traceability, food safety and environmental harm, including deforestation.

“Ireland should be defending high standards at home and abroad – not signing up to an agreement that encourages a race to the bottom.”

Calling for a big turn out from the farming community, Deputy Kenny said, “I commend those organising this protest and I encourage everyone attending to do so peacefully and responsibly. The message needs to be heard clearly – Irish farmers and rural communities will not be sacrificed to a trade deal that delivers profits for big business while leaving Irish producers to carry the cost.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.