Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion have slammed the decision by the European Commission to finalise the Mercosur deal, and have called on member states to work together and block it.

Lynn Boylan, MEP for Dublin, said:

“The Mercosur deal is bad for Ireland, and for the planet as a whole.

“Ursula von der Leyen is in Montevideo today concluding negotiations on this rotten trade deal.

“It is vital that the incoming Irish government sends a clear message of opposition to this deal, to reassure our farmers and those concerned about the impact that this deal will have on our environment, as well as globally.

“The Mercosur deal will increase deforestation and set us back in hitting key climate targets, it has already been criticised by Greenpeace and other international organisations because the deal will ultimately lead to increased emissions and many other problems both here in Ireland and across the world.

“Ireland must work with countries like France and Poland to block the ratification of the Mercosur deal.”

Kathleen Funchion, MEP for Ireland South, added:

“This rotten deal will place the interests of big corporations ahead of hard working farmers that are already struggling with rising costs of production and doing business.

“Both farmers and environmentalists in Ireland are united in their opposition to this trade deal. Beef and poultry farmers in particular will be hit hard by this deal and would face a real struggle to remain viable.

“It is also deeply unfair that this deal will mean that Irish farmers will have to comply with much more regulation than farmers in the Mercosur area, which this deal will put them in direct competition with.

“The new government must send a clear signal to both people here, as well as the European Commission, that Ireland is opposed to the Mercosur deal.

“Sinn Féin is resolutely opposed to the Mercosur trade deal; it offers nothing positive for Ireland and will lead to environmental destruction and bad outcomes for farmers right across Ireland.”