Mayo TD addresses Strasbourg protest ahead of Mercosur vote

MAYO TD Paul Lawless is pacing the corridors of the European Parliament ahead of a critical European vote as part of Aontú's intensive lobbying campaign as pressure mounts on those backing the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

Deputy Lawless is meeting throughout the week with MEPs from Belgium, Czechia, Italy, Romania and Spain, lobbying them to refer the Mercosur trade deal to the European Court of Justice.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is standing shoulder to shoulder with their European counterparts at a protest in Strasbourg highlighting the dangers and flaws of this deal.

Speaking from Strasbourg today, Deputy Lawless said: “The political ground beneath the deal is continuing to shift. Seventy MEPs abstained on Mercosur safeguards in December. We have gotten confirmation that some of those MEPs who abstained will be voting in favour of referring the trade deal to the ECJ.

“We've also been told that some of those who voted for the deal at that stage are changing their tune.

“This vote could be on a knife-edge. Every conversation matters and there is momentum building amongst MEPs.”

He continued: “The IFA, alongside farmers from all over Europe, are here because their livelihoods, food standards and rural futures are on the line. This deal is going to cut the legs out from farmers as they see lower quality beef imported and sold at a cheaper rate.”

Deputy Lawless criticised the absence of senior government figures from the negotiations.

He said: “The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste should be here today, in Strasbourg, making the case for Irish farmers. This is a crucial point in negotiations, and they should be using any pull they have to stand up for Irish agriculture.

“Today I am walking the corridors of the parliament, meeting MEPs in their offices, in their canteen, speaking up for my country and constituents.

“The procedural vote scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, on whether Mercosur should be referred to the European Court of Justice represents a critical opportunity. A referral to the ECJ would legally freeze this agreement and allow proper scrutiny of its environmental, competition and legal implications.

“The ink on this deal may be wet, but its political foundations are already cracking.

“Farmers across Europe are mobilising, MEPs are shifting, and the majority is anything but secure.

“I will continue meeting MEPs throughout today and tomorrow to ensure Irish farmers are not sold out by this Commission.”