Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion have called on all Irish MEPs to support a resolution due to come before the European Parliament next week, referring the Mercosur trade deal to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The resolution was an initiative of the Left Group and is now supported by 145 MEPs from across the Parliament.
The resolution will be voted on in next week’s plenary session in Strasbourg, provided that Mercosur is formally referred to the European Parliament by the Council of the European Union on Monday.
MEP Boylan said:
“All Irish MEPs should support this crucial resolution to test the legality of the Mercosur Agreement.
“There are serious concerns regarding the compatibility of Mercosur with EU climate and environmental law and that any future legislation on sustainability could be undermined by the provisions allowing Mercosur countries to get compensated for trade effects of EU sustainability policies.
“I am proud to have been involved in the drafting and tabling of this crucial resolution and believe that it can demonstrate why ratifying Mercosur will be so disastrous for our environment.
“Mercosur is a rotten deal for people and the planet, and I will continue to do everything I can to make sure it is blocked.
“The Irish Government stayed on the fence for too long and ultimately failed to work with like-minded Member States to block this deal at Council.
“When this resolution comes to Parliament, all Irish MEPs must stand up for EU environmental law and ensure that it is not undermined by this disastrous trade deal.”
MEP Funchion said:
“The progression of the Mercosur deal thus far has been completely unprecedented and undermines European Democracy.
“The EU Commission’s tactics of creating novel loopholes, such as splitting the deal, remove the national veto that protects producers and national interests.
“Furthermore, obligations arising from the deal could serve to limit European lawmaking as rebalancing legislation could mean the EU is liable to Mercosur countries, should regulation in Europe change.
“We know this deal is bad for farmers, public health, and the environment, but it also undermines the democratic processes in the EU and could set a dangerous precedent of the EU Commission overreaching and pushing through policy against the normal order and procedure.
“We will be voting to refer the Mercosur trade deal to the Court of Justice of the European Union next week, and I would encourage all Irish MEPs to follow suit, in the interests of Irish farming and public health.”
