Mercosur trade deal review
Deputy Carthy argues that renewed Amazon deforestation shows the Mercosur deal conflicts with climate goals and Irish farming interests. The Taoiseach says he shares concerns, will raise the issue at EU level, and does not believe the deal is compatible with climate objectives.
The programme for Government commits the Government to a review of the Mercosur trade deal. Many farmers fear that review is simply a delaying tactic on the part of Government.
This week we learned that deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon surged in the past year. Over the past 12 months a total of 11,000 sq. km of forest have been destroyed. Most of this forest is destroyed to make way for beef ranches. That beef is expected to supplement or remove Irish beef from supermarket shelves across Europe if the EU Mercosur trade deal moves forward. On the basis of this new evidence, will the Taoiseach now commit the Government to vetoing the EU Mercosur trade deal?
Comment on this
I have already signalled our concerns at European level in respect of the Mercosur deal and its compatibility with the climate change objectives of the European Union. Indeed, at the forthcoming summit next week I will be raising this in the context of discussions on climate change. There is a real issue about how Mercosur reconciles with the climate change agenda given the Brazilian Government's policy approach to the Amazon and to the wholesale destruction of the Amazon that is clearly under way. I do not believe the two are compatible.
The assessment referenced in the programme for Government by Deputy Carthy is not a delaying tactic. It is work that is necessary in any event and will be proceeded with.