Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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139. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide clarity on the safeguards for Irish farmers from being impacted by the Mercosur trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54997/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Along with the Tánaiste who has lead responsibility for trade policy, I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and other Member States across the EU to voice Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.

Ireland has serious concerns on the preferential access being given to Mercosur if South American farmers are not subject to the same sustainable farming standards as our own farmers. We have repeatedly emphasised that beef in particular is a very sensitive sector, which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement.

During these engagements, the Tánaiste and I have also repeatedly emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally-binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections.

Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings. In recent months, I have met with my French, Austrian and Latvian counterparts to exchange views.

The Commission recently announced its proposed approach to ratification and its proposal for a regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause within the Agreement in relation to agricultural products. My Department and the Department of Foreign affairs are currently examining these proposals in detail to see if they provide any of the additional assurances required.

Pending that examination, Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government: ‘Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal”.