Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
45. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the Mercosur trade agreement and Ireland's position on the protection of the environment and livelihoods of Irish farmers in the context of the agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66725/25]
View answer55. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her response to the EU Commission's final package of proposals for the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66263/25]
View answer68. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's most recent assessment of the public health risks posed by the EU-Mercosur agreement, specifically in relation to the importation of agricultural products produced using pesticides and growth hormones banned in the EU; and the immediate verifiable audit and inspection protocols which will be put in place before ratification to guarantee that all Mercosur imports meet the traceability and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards currently required of Irish farmers and EU consumers. [66668/25]
View answer70. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagements she has had in relation to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65492/25]
View answer71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her plans to oppose the Mercosur Trade Agreement in view of its detrimental impact on Irish agriculture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65163/25]
View answer87. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific, legally-binding mechanisms Ireland is demanding be added to the EU-Mercosur agreement to ensure that imported agricultural products, particularly beef and soy, are demonstrably deforestation-free and meet the same high EU climate standards as Irish-produced goods, in order to resolve the current crisis of climate hypocrisy at the heart of the proposed deal; and if the Government will commit to vetoing the agreement if these non-negotiable standards are not secured. [66667/25]
View answer88. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on any discussions with other EU countries on Mercosur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66420/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 55, 68, 70, 71, 87 and 88 together.
The European Commission presented its final package on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement on 3 September and its proposal for the adoption and approval of the agreement by the Council of the European Union and European Parliament. The package includes the consolidated text of the original agreement negotiated in 2019 and the additional legal instrument addressing trade and sustainability commitments, which was agreed in December 2024. It also includes several accompanying initiatives, which are intended to address agricultural sector concerns. They include a proposed legal act to operationalise safeguards to protect sensitive products, a financial safety net for farmers, and commitments on the alignment of production and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards.
We have always been clear that such free trade agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors and that our farmers’ livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries. This position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government, which, in January 2025, stated that the Government will work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal. In our trade negotiations, we have always been guided by standing up for and defending the interests of Irish farmers, along with raising concerns on climate, biodiversity and deforestation.
It’s worth stating that imports from Mercosur must continue to comply with all EU standards that protect food safety, animal and plant health and animal welfare, as well as EU consumer interests. The agreement does not weaken these requirements in any way. In line with the ambition set out in the Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Commission has committed to step up SPS import controls by increasing the number of audits and checks in third countries, and by strengthening controls on the ground. It is vital that these standards are vigorously upheld by the Commission to address the concerns of the farming community.
Over the past number of months, Government ministers and officials have continued to engage intensively at EU level – with both the European Commission and with counterparts in EU Member States, including like-minded countries – to voice our concerns with the agreement and to interrogate the outcome of negotiations to assess if our concerns have been adequately addressed. The Government has also remained in regular contact with Irish stakeholders from the agriculture, environment and business sectors, as we sought to fully understand their concerns. Since taking on the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade just last week, I have discussed international trade developments with my counterparts from a number of EU Member States, including at the Council of Trade Ministers on 24 November.
It is now important that we take time to assess the package in its entirety to understand if our concerns with the agreement have been adequately addressed. As part of this process, I and my officials will intensify our engagement with the Commission, with like-minded EU Member States, and importantly with stakeholders in Ireland in the period ahead.
Pending that examination, Ireland’s position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government.
