Greens express dismay at Mercosur ratification by European Council of Ministers

Mercosur approval will be disastrous for the environment, trade, and consumersReacting to the European Council of Ministers’ ratification of the Mercosur deal, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said “The Mercosur Trade Agreement is not fair. It’s not fair to Irish farmers, who have to compete with food raised to much lower welfare standards. It’s not fair to Irish consumers, who will be exposed to beef reared using excessive hormones and pesticides. And it’s not fair to the environment across South America, as it will encourage further deforestation”.

Despite an indication from Taoiseach Micheál Martin earlier this week that the government could shift the stance agreed in the previous coalition with the Green Party and support Mercosur deal, Ireland voted against it along with Poland, Austria, Hungary and France while Belgium abstained.

Although they initially opposed it, Italy voted to support the deal.

Reacting to the Government’s support of the Greens’ position on the deal, Deputy O’Gorman said “The Green Party continues to oppose the Mercosur Trade Agreement, and welcomes the fact that the Government has had a last minute change of heart on the issue.”

He added:

“Myself and Senator Malcolm Noonan opposed the Mercosur deal in the Dàil and Seanad. Now, it will go before the European Parliament, where the European Green Party group will also oppose it. There can be no compromise on Fair Trade”.