WATCH | Longford MEP Ciaran Mullooly asks EU Commissioners for impact assessment for Ireland on Mercosur Trade Deal
'I have 50 questions. I’m supposed to be a co-legislator here. When will I get answers to the questions?'
Irish MEP Ciaran Mullooly has called on Agricultural Commissioner Christophe Hansen and Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to urgently address the serious concerns of Irish farmers regarding the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
Speaking during a parliamentary session with both commissioners, MEP Mullooly highlighted again, the potential devastating impact of the agreement on Irish agriculture and demanded clear answers to his questions.
“In the middle of October, Commissioners, I asked if it was possible to have an impact assessment on the effect of this deal on my country. Nothing has come,” said MEP Mullooly. “Last week I asked again, where is the impact assessment on the effect in our country? It is with the chef de cabinet in your office.”
The Mercosur trade deal has sparked widespread concern among Irish farmers over issues such as food safety, environmental standards, and unfair competition. MEP Mullooly expressed frustration at the lack of response to his detailed inquiries: “I have 50 questions. I’m supposed to be a co-legislator here. When will I get answers to the questions? I have outlined them again today.”
A key issue also raised by MEP Mullooly during his face to face questioning of the Commissioners, is the use of growth promoters like estradiol 75B in beef production in Mercosur countries. “In my country, we have sent farmers to jail for using this,” he said. “Your safeguards are going to have to be very impressive. You’re going to have to convince us about this.”
Concluding his remarks, MEP Mullooly made a direct appeal: “I appeal to you, answer the questions for Irish farmers. We are worried.”