Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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546. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his engagements with his Cabinet colleagues regarding the Mercosur trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36249/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The European Commission reached political agreement in its trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries in June 2019. Throughout these negotiations my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which leads on trade policy issues for the Government, have engaged extensively and will continue to engage on the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur.

Due to additional concerns raised by a number of EU member states, including Ireland, on the strength of the environmental and sustainability provisions in the original agreement, the Commission and Mercosur recommenced negotiations in 2023 on a joint instrument aimed at addressing these concerns.

Ireland has consistently sought for the Commission to ensure that the joint instrument currently being negotiated is comprehensive in its scope. It must include binding commitments on climate change, biodiversity, combating deforestation and labour rights. Indeed, I reiterated these points at the most recent Agri-Fish Council meeting in July.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I, along with officials in our respective Departments, continue to raise these issues at EU level, including at EU Council of Ministers meetings (in both Trade and Agriculture formations).

I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to demand that the final substance of any joint instrument is substantial and robust in addressing the environmental and sustainability concerns we and other Member States have.