The Mercosur trade agreement continues to attract controversy as Sligo/Leitrim TD says it 'must be stopped'

The Mercosur trade agreement continues to attract controversy with Sligo/Leitrim Martin Kenny TD calling on the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to make himself available to attend a special meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday morning at 11am in order to hear from the IFA and the Farmers Journal on their investigation in Brazil that uncovered the illegal use of antibiotics and growth hormones in beef production.

Deputy Kenny said: “We were all astonished by the revelations in the Farmers Journal a couple of weeks ago that showed the levels of illegal use of antibiotics and growth hormones in beef production in Brazil.  We all knew it was happening but not to the extent that was revealed in the Farmers Journal.

“I wrote to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture last week to request that they invite the IFA and the Farmers Journal into the Committee to discuss their findings in relation to their investigation in Brazil.

“I am delighted that the committee has agreed to hold a special meeting on Tuesday next, 9th December at 11am."

READ MORE: Burglaries have halved in Leitrim but more gardai are still needed said Sligo/Leitrim TD

“I believe the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon should make himself available to attend and hear what the IFA and the Farmers Journal have to say.  Last week we also seen where a large consignment of contaminated Brazilian beef was recalled due to the fact that it was found to contain carcinogenic growth hormones.

“It would be worthwhile for those Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael MEPs who are undecided or are supporting the Mercosur trade agreement to also attend this meeting and watch it online.

“The Mercosur trade agreement is going to be a disaster for everyone and while Regina Doherty may think it is good for big industry, the cost will be public health, the environment and the Irish agriculture sector.

“Lowry’s Fianna Fail and Fine Gael government need to listen to the concerns of the Irish people and to their own back bench TDs that the Mercosur deal must be stopped.”