Macra: EU’s Mercosur Deal Is the Height of Hypocrisy

Macra has issued a strong warning to the Government in the wake of last night’s Private Members’ Bill in the Dáil, sharply criticising the EU-Mercosur trade agreement and insisting that Ireland must not support any deal that undermines Irish farmers in pursuit of broader EU trade objectives.

The debate, and the visible backing from farming organisations present in the chamber, highlighted a united stance across the sector. For Ireland’s beef and poultry sectors in particular, Mercosur represents the most serious external threat in a generation, with the potential to inflict lasting economic damage on farm families and on the wider rural economy.

Macra National President Josephine O’Neill said: “The reality is that this deal would expose Ireland’s beef and poultry sectors to a surge of imports from production systems that operate to far lower standards than our own. Such an imbalance places Irish farmers at a direct competitive disadvantage, threatening livelihoods, depressing prices and destabilising an already fragile market. For many family farms, especially in the beef and poultry sectors, Mercosur is not just a policy debate; it is a profound risk to their future viability.”

Ms O’Neill said Irish farmers are already delivering on some of the strictest production, traceability, and environmental requirements anywhere in the world, often at significant cost. The same cannot be said for some of the produce entering EU markets, should the Mercosur deal be accepted. “It is the height of hypocrisy for the EU to demand ever-increasing environmental compliance from Irish farmers while turning a blind eye to deforestation, weaker animal welfare rules, and lower environmental standards in Mercosur countries. Irish farmers are doing everything asked of them to protect the environment, yet Brussels appears willing to undermine those efforts by allowing cheaper, lower-standard imports to flood our market.”

Macra said the cross-party recognition in the Dáil of the risks posed by Mercosur must now be backed by firm action. The organisation warns that young farmers will not remain silent as decisions are made that will shape the future viability of Irish farming for decades, and will not accept decisions that jeopardise the future of rural Ireland. “The message from young farmers is clear: we expect our government to stand firm. Ireland cannot support a trade deal that sacrifices rural communities and family farms in favour of short-term political gains. Macra will continue to speak out, to organise, and to defend the future of Irish agriculture for the next generation.”