Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The position of communities right across the State is clear when it comes to the Mercosur trade deal. It will be bad for Irish farming, it will be bad for the environment and it will be bad for people's health. Last week in the European Parliament we had a clear opportunity to show Irish MEPs are united in our opposition to the deal. Brazil and Argentina are the world's top GMO and pesticide users. This includes GMOs and pesticides that have been banned in the EU for health reasons. The motion highlighted concerns over the use of GMOs and pesticides. Fine Gael MEPs failed to support the motion while Fianna Fáil MEPs could not work out if they were for it or opposed to it. We have constantly heard Fianna Fáil claiming it will oppose the Mercosur trade deal. Why was that not the case last week in the European Parliament? Will Fianna Fáil's opposition to the trade deal be just another broken election promise?

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