Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)

I thank na Teachtaí Kenny and Newsome Drennan for bringing forward this motion. I welcome the farmers to the Dáil.

This Mercosur deal has been dubbed "the cows for cars trade deal" by many who rightly believe this trade deal will overwhelmingly contribute to a climate crisis that is already out of control. Those who did the cows for cars deal do not care about the programme for Government. This deal is completely incompatible with our commitments under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C, a target we are already set to miss. It will significantly boost trade in goods that have a high environmental impact, such as soya, poultry and, in particular, beef, and contribute to widespread deforestation. Between 2001 and 2020, the Amazon rainforest decreased in size by over 54.2 million ha and lost almost 90% of its trees. That is an area the size of France. The Taoiseach made a virtue out of attending COP30, which is taking place in the home of the Amazon rainforest, to show other leaders how seriously Ireland is taking climate action. We cannot call for climate action and biodiversity protection at COP30 one week and wave through rainforest destruction the following week, all for the sake of a pat on the head from German car manufacturers.

Mercosur is going to hurt Irish beef and poultry farmers. The meat that will enter the EU market will not be subject to the same regulations as those that apply here, which means that there will be few or no safety standards. We need to ensure high standards across the board in the context of food quality and maintain our binding commitments. Our solidarity must lie with Irish family farmers, with the indigenous South American people defending the world's richest ecosystems and with the generations who will inherit the consequences of the decision that has been made. The Mercosur deal is not about trade; it is about agricultural vandalism.

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