Leitrim farmers to attend large-scale Mercusor protest in Athlone

Farmers from across Leitrim are expected to travel to Athlone this Saturday to take part in a major national protest against the proposed EU–Mercosur trade agreement, with organisers estimating that up to 10,000 farmers and supporters will attend.

The National Community Protest will take place at the TUS Arena at the Technological University of the Shannon at 12.30pm, just two weeks before a decisive vote on the agreement in the European Parliament.

The protest is being organised by Independent Ireland and comes amid growing concern within farming communities that the trade deal could significantly undermine Irish agriculture — particularly beef and suckler farming in counties such as Leitrim.

European Parliament vote decisive

Midlands–North-West MEP Ciarán Mullooly has stressed that while the EU–Mercosur agreement may be politically signed by the European Commission and the Council, it cannot enter into force without the approval of the European Parliament.

MEPs will be asked to vote on the deal in Strasbourg in two weeks’ time, and Mullooly said the parliamentary vote is decisive, with no automatic outcome assumed.

“In two weeks’ time, Irish MEPs will be asked to take a clear position on Mercosur,” he said. “This is not a procedural formality. Parliament’s decision will determine whether the agreement becomes law.”

He described the upcoming vote as one of the most significant trade decisions facing Irish representatives in recent years, warning that it carries far-reaching implications for Irish agriculture, food standards and rural communities.

Mullooly confirmed that all 14 Irish MEPs were formally invited last week to attend and speak at Saturday’s protest, welcoming confirmation that Independent South of Ireland MEP Michael McNamara has indicated his intention to attend.

“This is an important opportunity for engagement,” Mullooly said. “Communities have legitimate concerns about this agreement and deserve to hear directly from their elected representatives before such a consequential vote is taken.

“Mercosur is not an abstract trade debate. It raises real questions about fairness, standards and the future of Irish farming. Those concerns should be heard and considered before Parliament is asked to decide.”

Strong Leitrim representation expected

Sligo–Leitrim TD and Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson Martin Kenny confirmed that he will be travelling to Athlone to attend the protest in support of Leitrim farmers.

Deputy Kenny said farmers in counties like Leitrim — particularly those involved in beef and suckler farming — would be among the most exposed if the agreement is approved.

“Irish farmers are being asked to compete with imports produced to much lower environmental and animal welfare standards,” he said. “That is simply not fair, particularly when our farmers are already under pressure and are producing food to some of the highest standards in the world.”

He warned that the real danger posed by Mercosur lies not just in imports coming into Ireland, but in the displacement of Irish beef exports on European markets.

“We have a relatively small domestic population but a very large cattle herd,” he said. “The vast majority of our beef has to be exported, and if that market is undercut by cheaper imports, farmers in places like Leitrim will feel the impact first.”

Protest expected to remain peaceful

Local councillor Paddy O’Rourke said the Mercosur agreement is only one of several significant challenges now facing the Irish beef sector, warning that wider market pressures are beginning to converge.

Referring to the recent surge in beef prices, Cllr O’Rourke said processors had been caught off guard.

“They did not see the price rise coming,” he said. “They are now going to take measures, regardless of Mercosur. And to be honest, nobody is too sorry for them, given the money processors have made off the backs of farmers over many generations.”

He pointed to the recent expansion of Irish processors overseas as a cause for concern, particularly the purchase by Dawn Meats of a substantial processing facility in New Zealand.

“That plant was in financial difficulty and was probably bought at a knockdown price,” he said. “But it’s not good news for Irish farmers when processing capacity is being developed in markets that compete directly with where our lamb and mutton normally go.”

Cllr O’Rourke said there had been little public scrutiny of such developments, with the focus remaining almost entirely on Mercosur.

“Mercosur is dominating the debate, but there are a whole lot of other clouds gathering for our industry as well,” he said.

He also highlighted the strategic importance of the British market, noting that Ireland exports approximately 60% of all slaughtered beef to England.

“Britain is our closest market transport-wise, with a population of around 60 million people to feed, and its own cattle herd is diminishing,” he said. “We have strengthened our position there in recent years.”

However, he warned that this position could be undermined if Britain were to fully open its market to cheaper imports from countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

“The British believed post-Brexit they could import cheaper food globally, but chaos in government meant they never really got their act together,” he said. “If that changes — and particularly now that Dawn has a foothold in New Zealand in the lamb and mutton trade — that could present serious difficulties for Irish farmers.”

Cllr O’Rourke said while Irish beef remains among the highest quality in the world, consumer behaviour remains a key vulnerability.

“We produce the best export beef in the world,” he said. “But in large household situations, price often becomes the deciding factor. People can end up compromising on standards, and that’s where we could get caught.”

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