Chief Executive Ian Talbot said: "Discussion and debate on the EU-Mercosur agreements has focussed disproportionately on the impact on the beef and poultry sectors. There has been little focus on the many sectors that stand to benefit significantly, nor the job opportunities arising, from improved access to a market of 295 million people including IT, Pharma, Machinery, Spirits, Professional Services and Agri-food, such as cheese and dairy.
In a world of trade wars and industrial subsidies the EU and Ireland need reliable markets for their exporters. As a small, open economy Ireland is particularly exposed to current, rapidly evolving, geopolitical risks. A comprehensive SME Chapter creates new opportunities for small businesses by reducing tariffs and red tape as well as improving access to public procurement. Access to critical raw materials will be enhanced with Brazil holding the second biggest global reserves of rare earths after China. The deal also contains binding climate and deforestation commitments, the first time that trade access has been tied to stopping deforestation. These opportunities are too important to pass up.
The Programme for Government 2025 commits to defending Ireland's interests ‘in opposing the current Mercosur deal’. However, since the publication of that Programme the EU has negotiated concessions and additional safeguards with the Mercosur countries and made other commitments of support for sensitive sectors, changing the shape of the deal. We now call on Government to commission an independent evaluation of the impact of the changes made and facilitate a fully informed debate as the approval process through the European Parliament continues. We continue our call to our MEPs to support the agreements."