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MP Dáire Hughes has welcomed the decision of the European Parliament on Wednesday to support a challenge initiated by Sinn Féin MEPs and the Left Group to refer the Mercosur trade agreement to the European Court of Justice.
The Newry and Armagh MP said the vote represents a major victory for farmers north and south and clear proof that Sinn Féin's challenge is working to protect Irish people, the environment and the future of farming across the island of Ireland. He added that pressure must now be maintained to ensure this disastrous deal is stopped once and for all.
Hughes commended Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion for their leadership in drafting the motion and for leading the campaign against Mercosur in the European Parliament.
"This is a major victory in the battle against this ruinous deal. It is a victory for farmers north and south, for consumers, and for the protection of our environment," he said. "The full implementation of the Mercosur deal is now likely to be suspended for up to two years. That gives us vital time to continue building opposition and to ensure this deal is never ratified."
While the vote was tight, the MP said it sends a very clear message that there are serious concerns right across Europe about Mercosur, and the deal can be stopped.
He said everyone knows this is a bad deal, with the so-called safeguards not worth the paper they are written on. Current checks and controls on imports of beef produced using hormones and banned antibiotics are not working, and Irish farmers are being undercut by produce that would not meet standards here.
"This referral to the ECJ now gives the Irish Government the time and opportunity to engage with MEPs from other EU member states and build a blocking coalition if the deal returns to the European Parliament," Hughes said. "Sinn Féin's challenge is working to protect Irish people, our environment and our farmers, and we cannot take our eye off the ball. We must keep the pressure on to ensure this deal is stopped once and for all."
He said his party will continue to stand with farmers across the island of Ireland in opposing Mercosur and defending rural livelihoods, and called on the British government to reconsider any trade deal with Mercosur, as this decision further underlines the serious legal, environmental and agricultural concerns surrounding the agreement.
Hughes said the issue also highlights the importance of Irish unity. "Only with an all-Ireland approach, with full democratic control over trade, agriculture and food standards, can we ensure that disastrous deals like Mercosur are stopped and that the interests of Irish farmers, workers, consumers and our environment are properly protected."
