Midlands to host national rally against Mercosur deal

Independent Ireland is to host a national rally against the Mercosur deal in the Midlands early next year.

The party announced the event, to take place in Athlone, on January 10, this afternoon.

Party leader Deputy Michael Collins urged people of all political backgrounds to stand together in opposition to the EU‑Mercosur trade deal, ahead of the national demonstration planned for Saturday, January 10, in Athlone. Further details are to be announced.

The free trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur would create the world's biggest free-trade area and help the EU to expand exports but farmere are critical of the lax regulation on agricultural products which would enter Europe.

Deputy Collins said the proposed agreement poses a serious threat not just to farmers, but to the wider rural economy and to Ireland’s reputation for high food standards.

“This goes beyond party politics,” he said. “This is about the future of farming, rural jobs and food safety. When an issue is this serious, unity matters.”

Organisers say the Mercosur deal would allow produce into the European market that does not meet the standards Irish farmers are required to uphold, placing family farms at a significant disadvantage.

Although the proposed signing of the agreement has been postponed following opposition from France and Italy, Deputy Collins said Ireland must maintain pressure.

“Delays are welcome, but they are not enough,” he said. “This deal is still very much alive, and we have a responsibility to make our opposition clear and impossible to ignore.”

Planning for the demonstration is ongoing, with engagement taking place with farming organisations, An Garda Síochána, local authorities, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and local communities to ensure the event is safe, accessible and well coordinated.

“This protest must be peaceful and dignified,” Collins said, “but it must also send a clear message. Rural Ireland will not quietly accept a deal that undermines its future.”

Roscommon/Galway Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice said: “Ireland needs to wake up to what is happening here, this is about more than any party or political divide.

“The frustration on the ground is real and it is justified. We need to show opposition to this trade deal in a united, peaceful, dignified and determined way, and to send a clear message to our leaders and to Europe: Ireland's agricultural sector have no faith in this deal.”

“No one is being left behind,” Fitzmaurice said. “This has to be a demonstration that represents everyone – beef, dairy, poultry, sheep, tillage, processors, factories and rural businesses. Over the coming days we are hoping all farming organisations will stand together as one. We have been inundated with requests from farmers from all over the country and it is our responsibility as representatives of our rural communities to bring people together on this issue.”

MEP Ciaran Mullooly said he has been building strong relationships with MEPs and farming organisations across Europe and is keen to see European representatives stand in solidarity with Irish farmers at the demonstration.

“Farmers in many member states see this deal for what it is – a race to the bottom that sacrifices agriculture, food standards and rural communities for trade headlines.

“There is a strong and growing bloc of representatives across Europe who believe farmers must be listened to, not ignored.

“We cannot guarantee outcomes but we will stand shoulder to shoulder with farming and rural communities to send a clear message and do whatever we can to try and stop this rotten deal.”