PHOTO GALLERY 20,000 farmers rally in Athlone against EU-Mercosur deal

An estimated 20,000 Irish farmers gathered in Athlone on January 10 as opposition intensified to the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal, according to Midlands North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooley.

Farmers from across the country travelled to the midlands for the large-scale demonstration, which saw rolling convoys of tractors and heavy machinery converge on the town in a show of solidarity and growing anger within the agricultural sector.

The protest followed confirmation that the EU ambassador had approved the outline of a trade agreement with four South American countries — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The deal must still be ratified by the European Parliament before it can take effect.

The Irish Government has stated it does not support the agreement in its current form, with senior Cabinet figures maintaining that negotiations are not finalised and that Ireland’s concerns remain unresolved.

Addressing the crowd in Athlone, Mr Mullooley said he was proud to stand with Irish farmers in their opposition to the deal.

“As the son of a small Irish family farmer, I am extremely proud of Irish farmers today,” he said. “You are standing shoulder to shoulder to defend your livelihoods, your communities and your rights as part of Europe. I stand in the European Parliament on your behalf.”

He said Ireland was right to oppose Mercosur, warning that the deal posed serious risks to food safety, animal welfare and farm incomes.

“Ireland quite rightly says no to Mercosur,” he said. “Irish and European citizens do not want hormone-treated beef entering our markets. We do not want untraceable, untested and unidentified beef allowed to undercut our farmers and threaten consumer safety.”

Mr Mullooley said the protest sent a “clear and powerful message” to the Irish Government, the European Commission and the 720 MEPs who will decide the treaty’s future.

“Ireland stands shoulder to shoulder with French, Italian and Polish farmers,” he said, adding that Italian MEPs had contacted him directly to confirm their opposition to the deal.

“This is the same fight farmers were fighting more than 60 years ago — a different era, but the same determination,” he said. “No match is ever won at half-time. The second half begins now.”

The rally also heard from Martin Collins, leader of Independent Ireland, who said Irish farmers had been ignored for decades.

“For 60 years, Irish agriculture has been asked to carry the burden,” he said. “This deal would expose Irish farmers to unfair competition from countries with lower standards, lower prices and little regard for animal welfare or environmental protection.”

Organisers said kilometres of farm machinery were still attempting to access Athlone as the protest continued, describing the turnout as a clear demonstration of the strength of feeling within the farming community against the proposed agreement.

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