Ireland main parties’ leaders pledge to condition any trade deal with Mercosur

Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 06:11 UTC

Full article 6 comments

The Irish Farmers Association head John Bryan

Leaders of Ireland’s three main parties pledged on Monday to oppose any trade deal with Mercosur countries which could damage Irish exports if EU standards of production are not adhered to, reports the Irish Times.

They also promised support to secure all of the €1.3 billion farmers receive from the EU in the forthcoming Common Agricultural Policy negotiations.

Micheál Martin, Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore made their promises to a meeting of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) executive council at a meeting in the IFA’s Dublin headquarters.

IFA president John Bryan welcomed the strong commitments on the defence of the Cap budget and on the Mercosur deal.

After their presentations they were questioned by many of the 53-member executive. However they refused to give commitments on restoring suspended farm schemes unless savings could be found elsewhere.

The European Union and Mercosur are currently discussing a much delayed cooperation and trade agreement which should be ready by the second half of 2011. A next bilateral meeting is scheduled next month in Brussels.

Categories: Economy, Politics, Mercosur.

Tags: European Union, Ireland, Irish Farmers Association, John Bryan, Mercosur.

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Martin_Fierro
Why so worried EU? Can't withstand competition with Mercosur?

Of course not.
Feb 22nd, 2011 - 06:33 am 0
Fido Dido
No they can't compete. all what they can do is scream like a little girl how great they are and enjoy free trade, but only when it's in their favor. I am for competition and for ending all subsidies. Let's have real free trade that is fair for us consumers. Oh and please, spare me the bull crap about the environmental nonsense talk, we all know it's bogus.
Feb 22nd, 2011 - 06:48 am 0
Forgetit87
Europe's environmental and sanitary restrictions are nothing but protectionism in disguise. All 4 Mercosur countries are big meat exporters. But does anyone know if there's ever been a disease liked to their food exports? Didn't the mad cow disease spread from Europe?
Feb 22nd, 2011 - 10:54 am 0

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