Longford rural communities urged to unite for national demonstration against Mercosur

A local MEP and a TD have made a call to farmers, farming organisations, co-ops, agri-businesses, meat factories, feed merchants, rural businesses, rural workers and public representatives of all parties opposed to the Mercosur trade deal to unite and 'stand together' at a national demonstration in January.

Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly and Agriculture Spokesperson Michael Fitzmaurice TD stated the time for division has passed and the time for unity has arrived.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said this is a moment for rural communities to unite and pull on the green jersey.

"I am calling on the marts, meat factories, feed merchants and all rural communities to stand up and stand together.

“Mercosur is an existential threat to family farms, to rural Ireland and to our food standards as proven by the recent report in the IFJ.

"It would allow produce into this country that does not meet the standards Irish farmers are expected to uphold.

TD Michael Collins has called for a united front that crosses the political divide:

“Now is the time to stand together. I am calling on all farming organisations and politicians from all parties and none to stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers from every corner of Ireland.

"This is above politics. This is about our future. I will be working with Deputies Richard O'Donoghue and Ken O'Flynn and our councillors and volunteers from across Munster to encourage our rural communities to stand together for the sake of Irish farming.

The national protest will take place in January, traditionally a quieter period on farms, to allow for maximum participation, with Athlone, the centre of Ireland, being proposed as the location for the demonstration.

Deputy Fitzmaurice stated Ireland needs to wake up to what is happening here, this is about more than any party or political divide.

“The frustration on the ground is real and it is justified. We need to show opposition to this trade deal in a united, peaceful, dignified and determined way, and to send a clear message to our leaders and to Europe: Ireland's agricultural sector have no faith in this deal.”

He added that over the coming days we will be engaging with all farming organisations to harness the resources and networks that already exist across the sector.

“No one is being left behind,” Fitzmaurice said. “This has to be a demonstration that represents everyone – beef, dairy, poultry, sheep, tillage, processors, factories and rural businesses. Over the coming days we are hoping all farming organisations will stand together as one. We have been inundated with requests from farmers from all over the country and it is our responsibility as representatives of our rural communities to bring people together on this issue”

MEP Ciaran Mullooly stated he has been building strong relationships with MEPs and farming organisations across Europe and is keen to see European representatives stand in solidarity with Irish farmers at the demonstration.

“In the European Parliament I have been working closely with MEPs and farming organisations from across Europe who share the same fears about Mercosur,” he said. “Farmers in many member states see this deal for what it is – a race to the bottom that sacrifices agriculture, food standards and rural communities for trade headlines."

Mr Mullooly stated there is a strong and growing bloc of representatives across Europe who believe farmers must be listened to, not ignored.

"That is why I am keen to see European representatives stand with Irish farmers at this national demonstration and send a clear message that this opposition is shared far beyond Ireland.

"Our councillors and volunteers nationwide will work with representatives of organisations across the country to build support for the protest and to actively encourage attendance across their local communities."

We cannot guarantee outcomes but we will stand shoulder to shoulder with farming and rural communities to send a clear message and do whatever we can to try and stop this rotten deal.

Planning is well underway for the national demonstration with further details to be announced in the coming days.

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