Taoiseach Must Stand Firm On Mercusor And Reject It.  –  ICMSA.

Speaking in relation to the Mercusor deal, the President of ICMSA, Mr. Denis Drennan said that the Taoiseach must stand firm at the EU Council meeting this week and reject the Mercusor deal which would have disastrous consequences for the Irish beef sector.  

2025 represents the first year in thirty years that beef farmers made a profit from the marketplace and should the EU Council approve the deal, it has the potential to critically undermine the progress made over the last twelve months and despite all the promises from politicians, it will mean that Irish and EU farmers are competing against product produced to a much lower standard.   It would be unforgivable of our Government to back such a deal given the impact it will have on the beef sector.

While acknowledging proposals from the EU Commission and Parliament to provide additional safeguards, the reality is that these safeguards will not work and to suggest that Mercusor countries can achieve equivalence in environmental, animal welfare and other standards is laughable and will not happen.

ICMSA is very clear, the EU would not accept other products that do not meet EU standards and specifications and the same rules should apply to beef.    The Irish Government has been lukewarm at best in its opposition to date and Mr. Drennan called on Government TD’s to ensure that Ireland stands with France and Italy on what is such a crucial issue for Irish beef farmers and reject a deal that will be disastrous for Irish beef farmers.

ENDS    18 December 2025

Denis Drennan is at (086) 8389401.

ICMSA Head Office (061) 314677.