ICSA president Sean McNamara has said farmers will not back down in their fight to stop the Mercosur trade deal as he stood in Strasbourg yesterday in solidarity with farmers from across Europe protesting against the deal. “We are in Strasbourg today standing shoulder to shoulder with farmers from every corner of Europe to send a clear message that we will not accept Mercosur, and we will not be bought off with so-called safeguards or compensation. No amount of alleged safeguards or compensation will protect either farmers or consumers from the dangerous ramifications of this deal,” he said.

Mr McNamara said the decision by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to travel to South America to sign the deal over the weekend shows a reckless push to drive Mercosur through, ignoring growing opposition in the European Parliament. “That approach is wrong. Mercosur is fundamentally flawed and no amount of political spin will change that, which is why we are in Strasbourg today to convince even more MEPs to vote no,” he said.

Mr McNamara thanked Irish MEPs who have already publicly committed to voting against Mercosur. “Those MEPs deserve credit for standing up for Irish farmers, rural communities and consumers. By contrast, those who have indicated support for this deal must explain how they can justify voting for an agreement that so clearly sacrifices Irish agriculture and puts consumers at risk,” he said.

He also said the Irish Government must now step up its efforts. “The Government needs boots on the ground in Strasbourg, Brussels and anywhere else necessary to actively galvanise opposition to Mercosur. If this deal passes, the damage will be permanent. Standing back is not an option,” he said.

Concluding, Mr McNamara said Mercosur undermines everything European farmers are asked to do on climate, animal welfare and traceability, and exposes consumers to serious risks. “We will not back down in this fight to stop Mercosur,” he said.