Mercosur vote a major victory for Mayo farmers but fight isn’t over yet – Mayo TD
Sinn Féin TD for Mayo Rose Conway-Walsh has said that today’s vote in the European Parliament to refer the Mercosur trade agreement to the European Court of Justice is a major political victory and represents positive news for Mayo farmers.
She said that this vote is a clear signal that Mercosur is not a done deal and that over the coming months, all shoulders must be put to the wheel to ensure this deal is defeated for good.
Deputy Conway-Walsh said:
“At a time when the Irish Government failed to build a blocking minority to stop this bad deal, Sinn Féin chose to fight, defend Ireland’s interests and build alliances in the European parliament, and today that fight has delivered real results for family farms in Mayo and up and down the country.
“This vote to refer Mercosur to the ECJ represents a major political victory for Irish farmers, consumers and everyone who believes that trade policy must serve people, not corporate interests.
“This decision will delay the implementation of Mercosur for up to 18 months, potentially longer, and places the agreement under formal legal scrutiny as to whether it breaches EU treaties and law.
“Sinn Féin MEPs, Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion, played a central role in drafting the motion, building alliances across the Left Group, and driving this challenge through the European Parliament. It is appalling that Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh, MEP for Midlands-North West, voted against this motion in the Parliament when the Taoiseach and Tánaiste voiced Ireland’s opposition to Mercosur at the eleventh hour.”
Deputy Conway-Walsh said that the vote also confirms the legitimacy of the concerns of Mayo farmers.
“This vote is a clear signal that Mercosur is not a done deal, and it confirms the legitimacy of the concerns of all Mayo farmers I represent regarding food safety and the devastating impact this agreement would have on Irish farming.
The referral to the ECJ creates vital political space - but this is not the end of the road. Mercosur has been blocked, not buried. Over the coming months, all shoulders must be put to the wheel to ensure this deal is defeated for good.
That means sustained pressure on the Irish Government to actively oppose Mercosur at EU level, meaningful engagement with MEPs and governments across member states, and a clear refusal to accept reassurances or cosmetic safeguards that simply do not stand up to scrutiny.”
The Sinn Féin TD concluded:
“The government must also now ensure that Ursula von der Leyen does not attempt to provisionally apply this deal.
Sinn Féin will continue to lead that effort - standing with farmers and consumers, defending public health, protecting the environment, and insisting that Ireland’s trade policy reflects our values, not the demands of powerful corporate lobbies.
Today is a significant victory. Tomorrow, the work continues.”