EU Commission’s Reported Mercosur “Add-Ons” a Sham – Non-Binding Attachments Offer No Real Safeguards.  –  ICMSA.

ICMSA has condemned reports that the European Commission is considering a further attempt to greenwash the controversial EU-Mercosur trade deal through a series of non-binding side attachments, describing them as “meaningless political cover for a deeply flawed agreement and simply an attempt to get support for the deal from the French government, a critical opponent to the proposed trade deal”, according to Mr. Denis Drennan, President of ICMSA.

“This is political theatre – not policy.   Such non-binding side letters would be legally worthless. They will do nothing to stop deforestation, uphold EU food safety and environmental standards, or protect European farmers from unfair competition”.   Welcoming the continued French opposition to the deal and expressing the hope that the French and Irish Governments would reject such non-binding commitments, Mr. Drennan said, the outcome of Mercusor will show the true colours of the EU in terms of sustainability.

The reported Commission’s latest effort to appease critics appears to be in the form of unilateral statements, vague promises, and side documents with no legal force, oversight mechanisms, or enforcement provisions.   “The Commission is trying to sell a broken deal with a ribbon on top.   These attachments are non-binding for a reason – Mercosur countries don’t want to be held accountable.   The EU is essentially giving away its climate and agricultural standards for a trade pact it cannot defend.”

Mr. Drennan repeated ICMSA’s call for:

• The European Parliament and national governments to reject the current EU-Mercosur deal;
• Provide full transparency on what commitments have and have not been made in writing;
• A full reassessment of the EU’s trade policy to prioritise enforceable climate and social standards, not corporate convenience.

As internal negotiations head into their final stages, it is clear that only public pressure and political courage will stop this deal from becoming a catastrophic precedent for future trade agreements and Mr. Drennan expressed the hope that the Irish Government would stand tall in this regard and defend the position of Irish beef producers in particular.

ENDS 20 June 2025

Denis Drennan is at (086) 8389401.

ICMSA Head office (061) 314677.