MEP Maria Walsh has secured key amendments to strengthen protections for Irish farmers in the proposed Mercosur safeguard measures, following an overwhelming vote of support in the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee today.
MEP Walsh, a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, tabled a series of amendments to the Committee’s opinion on the Mercosur safeguards. The proposals focused on increasing traceability, strengthening compensation measures and ensuring that any safeguards be activated quickly when market pressures arise.
The vote on the Agriculture Committee’s opinion was passed overwhelmingly; with 46 votes in favour and one abstention.
Maria Walsh MEP said:
“While my concerns around the Mercosur trade deal remain, I have worked to ensure that any safeguards on the table reflect the very real concerns of Irish farmers. My amendments address the need to strengthen protections for our agri-food sector. They aim to tighten traceability and transparency, reinforce financial compensation measures, and ensure safeguards can be applied without delay when Irish farmers are at risk.
“My proposals also respond directly to the recent investigation which uncovered the use of antibiotics and growth hormones in Brazilian beef, as I reflected the growing concerns of our farmers following these findings. My amendments highlight the fact that the use of substances banned in the EU distorts market competition and undermines consumer confidence.
“Irish farmers play by the rules – we cannot allow products that fail to meet EU standards to undercut them.
“As I have said repeatedly in Parliament, I would have preferred the Agriculture Committee to play a stronger legislative role in shaping these safeguards. However, it is now over to the International Trade (INTA) Committee to take these proposals onboard as they prepare to vote on the safeguards next week. I urge all Irish MEPs on this Committee to push for the strongest possible protections for Irish farmers.”