WATCH | Longford MEP Ciaran Mullooly declares protest sent 'clear and powerful message, Ireland says NO to Mercosur'

An estimated 20,000 Irish farmers gathered in Athlone today as opposition intensified to the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal, according to Midlands North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly.

Farmers from across the country travelled to the midlands for the large-scale demonstration, which saw rolling convoys of tractors and heavy machinery converge on the town in a show of solidarity and growing anger within the agricultural sector.

Addressing the crowd in Athlone, Mr Mullooly said he was proud to stand with Irish farmers in their opposition to the deal.

Also read: Angry Longford farmers part of massive Athlone protest against rotten Mercosur trade deal

“As the son of a small Irish family farmer, I am extremely proud of Irish farmers today,” he said. “You are standing shoulder to shoulder to defend your livelihoods, your communities and your rights as part of Europe. I stand in the European Parliament on your behalf.”

He said Ireland was right to oppose Mercosur, warning that the deal posed serious risks to food safety, animal welfare and farm incomes.

"Ireland quite rightly says no to Mercosur,” he said. “Irish and European citizens do not want hormone-treated beef entering our markets. We do not want untraceable, untested and unidentified beef allowed to undercut our farmers and threaten consumer safety.”

Mr Mullooly said the protest sent a “clear and powerful message” to the Irish Government, the European Commission and the 720 MEPs who will decide the treaty’s future.

“Ireland stands shoulder to shoulder with French, Italian and Polish farmers,” he said, adding that Italian MEPs had contacted him directly to confirm their opposition to the deal.

“This is the same fight farmers were fighting more than 60 years ago — a different era, but the same determination,” he said. “No match is ever won at half-time. The second half begins now.”