MEP Ciaran Mullooly warns of dangers posed by Mercosur Trade Deal

MEP Ciaran Mullooly has been actively campaigning to raise awareness about the potential impact of the Mercosur trade deal, which, if approved, could see meat imports from South America flooding the European market. The deal, proposed by the European Commission, aims to enhance trade relations between Europe and Mercosur countries like Brazil and Chile. While Mullooly is not opposed to trading with these regions, he expressed serious concerns about the health and safety standards associated with the meat products, particularly beef and chicken, that could enter Europe under the deal.

In a recent interview with the Leitrim Observer, Mullooly emphasized the lack of rigorous standards in South America, especially when it comes to the use of illegal growth promoters and hormones in meat production. These substances, banned in Europe, are reportedly still used in Brazil, and Mullooly fears that without proper inspection regimes in place, contaminated meat could make its way into European markets, including Ireland.

“There’s a real concern about the standards in Brazil,” Mullooly said. “The European Commission says they’ll have inspections, but there’s no European inspection system in Brazil itself. We’ve already seen incidents where meat that was cleared by Brazilian authorities failed European tests when it arrived.”

He also stressed that Ireland’s beef industry, known for its high standards and grass-fed beef, would be severely impacted if the deal goes ahead. “We export 90% of our beef, and it’s highly prized for its quality,” Mullooly explained. “But if cheaper, substandard beef from Brazil enters the market, it will drive down prices for our farmers.”

Mullooly’s concerns are compounded by the price disparity between Irish and Brazilian beef, with Brazilian beef currently trading at about 3.50 euros per kilogram, compared to 9 or 10 euros for Irish beef. “This deal will flood the market with cheap meat, undermining Irish farmers who are committed to maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and product traceability,” he warned.

The campaign, which has been running for several months, seeks to garner support from European farmers and MEPs to block the deal. Mullooly is particularly focused on pressuring the Irish government to take a stronger stance. “Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael MEPs say they’re opposed to the deal, but the Irish government has not shown the same level of opposition,” he said. “Farmers need to put more pressure on our government in the coming months.”

Mullooly has also been meeting with farmers across Ireland to raise awareness of the issue. Recent meetings in Leitrim have included discussions on the Mercosur deal and its potential impact on local agricultural communities. The MEP has stressed the need for more unity among farmers to put pressure on their government and European lawmakers.

In addition to his work on the Mercosur trade deal, Mullooly is also addressing environmental concerns related to the re-wetting of bogs in Leitrim and Roscommon. The European Union’s Nature Restoration Bill requires the restoration of 40,000 hectares of bog land, which could lead to flooding issues for nearby farms. Mullooly is working with local farmers and environmental authorities to ensure that drainage systems around bogs are cleared to prevent potential flooding.

Mullooly’s efforts to raise awareness about these issues are ongoing, with plans to attend agricultural shows and continue campaigning across the region. His message remains clear: Ireland’s agricultural community needs to make their voices heard in Brussels and beyond.

“The next few months will be crucial,” Mullooly said. “We need to ensure that the Irish government stands firm against the Mercosur deal, and we need more support from MEPs across Europe to protect our farmers and the integrity of our food standards.”

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MEP Ciaran Mullooly hears firsthand from farmers and families at the Arva Show about their deep concerns regarding the potential damage the Mercosur trade deal could cause to the beef sector.