Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We have been forthright and to the forefront at European level in relation to opposing the structure of Mercosur and the proposal on the table. We have been insisting that the same standards we would expect from ourselves must be applied to any importer into the EU. The other key thing, of course, is that we have also been emphasising the absolute importance of minimising the outcome from the trade deal in terms of those key interests we have in the agricultural sector. We will continue to take this strong line. The proposal on the table has not been and is not acceptable. We are insisting that the EU continue to engage to ensure these issues are addressed and the same standards we expect of ourselves are expected from those countries we trade with and are verifiable in terms of implementation.