European Parliament Vote on Mercosur ‘Positive Step’, Says Macra

Macra welcomes today's vote of the European Parliament to request an opinion of the Court of Justice on the compatibility of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement with the Treaties.The vote follows weeks of farmer protests and lobbying at National and EU level, in which Macra members and many young farmers from all over Europe participated to express their deep concerns surrounding the Agreement, in particular and the procedures surrounding its signature.
“When it comes to Ireland, we produce our beef and poultry to the highest standards and pride ourselves on this with this deal undermining the standards our farmers must follow. It is vital that as a nation we ensure that our sector is viable for the next generation” comments Macra President Josephine O’Neill.
Given the extraordinary nature and dimension of the Agreement, Macra sees the call of the European Parliament for a legal opinion as a positive development.