'It makes sense to vote in favour of Mercosur' - Eamon Ryan
Former leader of the Green Party, Eamon Ryan has said "it makes sense" to vote for the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.
The EU's agreement with the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay would create the world's biggest free trade zone, covering a market of over 700 million consumers.
A majority of EU member states voted in favour of the deal during a meeting of the European Council on Friday (January 9).
Ryan, who is currently the chair of the European Commission's housing advisory board, told Agriland: "I think, for the wider interests, it makes sense to vote in favour of Mercosur."
He acknowledged that there are many competing views on the trade agreement.
“Firstly, this is complex and there are conflicting interests and views," he said.
“I share what I heard from the [anti-Mercosur] protest and my Green Party colleagues – concern about lowering environmental standards and disadvantaging Irish farmers, if we had high standards and others don’t.”
However, the former minister for transport also said: “I think there’s a wider issue that Europe is in a real challenging situation with the US administration looking to dismantle the international order.
“A trade agreement [is taking place] at a time when both continents are under threat of attack from the US with the issue of Greenland, and in Latin America with hegemony [threatened] over the continent.
"The wider political interest is to maintain international cooperation, and the [Mercosur] agreement helps that.”
Farmers’ concerns
On the subject of concerns from the farming community, Ryan said: “I think the issues of concerns to farmers must be attended to, specifically that we don’t undermine our farming industry and environmental standards.
“They can be addressed, especially if we look at the example of the [recent EU] deforestation law, which would address concerns in that area.
“So it was in that wider context that I think warrants support for the trade deal.”
Ryan told Agriland that he had talked to his former Green Party colleagues about the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
“They’re entitled to their views. I’m speaking on a personal capacity. I can understand their concerns. And I’ve shared some [of them]," he continued.
“I’d argue that the situation has changed even in the last couple of weeks.”
When asked about the possibility of increased demand for Brazilian beef and its potential environmental impact, Ryan said: “I think we have to be careful about that - the need for traceability and common standards is something I accept.
“I understand the volumes are relatively low in scale of European market.
“We’re also an exporter of beef, including to China, and it’s in that context – the broader one – when our Taoiseach was in China arguing for more open trade. That, in terms of scale of impact, is as important as the trade agreement with Mercosur."
He added: “The other point is that the protection of beef industry will relate to wider issues, like what the UK government does.
“If we take a position of wanting international order and trade that’s fair, and is mindful of environmental requirements, it’s easier to do that if you’re taking the position that I’m arguing for.”
Farmers opposing Mercosur
On the subject of farmers who oppose Mercosur, Ryan said: “I respect their view and opinion.
"I think the future of Irish farming will be better when we maintain good standards ourselves, show traceability and the low carbon efforts of our community, that’s how we get a better premium and more secure market.
“The more we work together, the better it’ll be.”
Ryan also argued that international order and the EU are important factors.
“My commentary is not directed at farming, it’s in the interest of Irish farmers that we stand up for international order and the European Union," he said.
“Our union is under attack. It’s in our interests to maintain a strong European Union.”
