Planned EU trade deal a ‘betrayal’ of Tipperary farmers, says local councillor
An EU trade deal will represent a “betrayal” to Tipperary farming families, according to one local representative.
That was the sentiment expressed by councillor John O’Heney who said that the EU’s Mercosur trade deal will threaten farming families across Tipperary.
As part of the deal, there would be lower barriers to trade between the EU and a number of countries in South America, fueling concerns among Irish farmers that non-EU beef would end up being sold here, tanking prices for Irish beef.
If approved, the Mercosur agreement would create the world's biggest free-trade zone and increase EU exports to Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
In response, Cllr O’Heney said that the deal, if agreed, would represent a direct threat to farmers in Tipperary and beyond.
"The proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal is not merely a policy matter; it is a direct threat to the future of every farm family and rural community in Tipperary and across Ireland.
"For too long, our farmers have been asked to meet the highest environmental, animal welfare, and traceability standards in the world. They have invested heavily in their land and livestock to deliver the quality food that European consumers demand,” he said.
“Now, the European Commission is preparing to open the door to a massive influx of 99,000 tonnes of beef and 180,000 tonnes of poultry from Mercosur countries. These are products raised under standards that our own farmers would be prohibited from meeting. This is a clear case of economic double standards and environmental hypocrisy,” the independent councillor added.
If the deal is allowed to go ahead, it would mean lower beef and poultry prices in stores across Ireland, and would lead to a drastic decrease in prices for premium Irish products, which cost more to produce due to higher EU standards.
"There is a huge livelihood threat in allowing cheaper, lower-standard beef and poultry to flood the market, which will depress prices for our premium Irish produce, making it impossible for our family farms to compete and remain viable,” Cllr O’Heney said.
"The level of environmental hypocrisy must also be raised as we are asking Irish farmers to reduce emissions and protect biodiversity, while simultaneously rewarding trade partners who engage in practices like deforestation in the Amazon and use growth promoters and antibiotics banned in the EU. This deal makes a mockery of our entire climate agenda,” he added.
Calling on farmers to join a national protest in Athlone on Saturday, January 10, Cllr O’Heney said that people must make their voices heard.