IBLA calls for Taoiseach's resignation over Mercosur deal
The Irish Beef and Lamb Association (IBLA) has called on Micheál Martin to step down as Taoiseach over his handling of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.
The comments come after thousands of farmers attended a rally against the controversial trade deal in Athlone on Saturday (January 10).
IBLA thanked Independent Ireland for organising what it described as "one of the largest events giving a voice to rural Ireland that the country has seen for some time".
IBLA
Eoin Donnelly, west region chair of IBLA, said speakers on the day highlighted "how this rotten deal will negatively impact on the vast majority of farmers in Ireland".
"Those in attendance on the day collectively put on the green jersey and shoulder to shoulder but in my opinion, there was not enough said.
"No-one on the day publicly asked as I am doing now that Micheál Martin resign as Taoiseach because of the distinct lack of consideration for the farming community," he said.
Donnelly claimed the Taoiseach had "grossly mismanaged the message to Europe that Ireland would in no uncertain terms declare a ‘No’ vote for this trade deal".
"The ruse that he was trying to negotiate improved concessions and safeguards for Ireland without sharing any detail on what he was asking for is in no way convincing.
"Behind closed door horse trading carries considerable risk of alienating people and not for the first time this is exactly what has happened.
"What possible concessions were asked for that Micheál Martin considered would have been in any way acceptable to the vast majority of Irish farmers is a question that was not asked on the day and I am asking now," he said.
Mercosur
Donnelly also asked why Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Healy-Rae could not get the "Irish ‘No’ position declared much earlier".
He said this would have "sent a clear signal to those in Italy who were still on the fence and could have been of value to those there trying to oppose this trade deal also".
The west region chair of IBLA said that Micheál Martin and Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris must "absolutely ensure" that their party MEPs vote against the deal when it comes before the European Parliament.
He also called for food labelling legislation to be enhanced so that "the origin of meat must be declared on the front of retail packaging in prominent text".
"Similarly, declarations on the menus in food service establishments must declare meat origin within the description of the product on the menu," he added.
