As the debate continues over the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, Irish MEPs have told Agriland how they intend to vote when the deal comes before the European Parliament.

The 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).

However, Ireland; France; Hungary; Poland; and Austria voted against, while Belgium abstained.

President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Paraguay this weekend to sign the deal with the Mercosur bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

The deal will require the consent of the European Parliament before it can be formally ratified.

Mercosur

Thousands of Irish farmers attended a protest against the proposed agreement on Saturday in Athlone, while farmers also demonstrated in France, Poland, and Belgium in recent days.

They argue that the deal would flood the market with cheaper imports and have voiced concerns over the traceability and quality of beef imports from Mercosur countries.

In response to those concerns, the European Commission unveiled a range of "safeguards" including stronger checks and controls on imports.

With attention now focused on the outcome of the upcoming EU Parliament vote, Agriland contacted Ireland's 14 MEPs to ask them how they intend to vote .

In the graphic below x represents a no vote while green represents a yes vote for Mercosur.

The following MEPs have confirmed their voting position:

Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Féin): No
Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fáil): No
Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil): Yes
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Fianna Fáil): No
Nina Carberry (Fine Gael): No
Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil): No
Lynn Boylan (Sinn Féin): No
Maria Walsh (Fine Gael): No
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Labour Party): No
Seán Kelly (Fine Gael): Undecided
Regina Doherty (Fine Gael): Yes 
Michael McNamara (Independent): No
Ciaran Mullooly (Independent Ireland): No
Luke Ming Flanagan (Independent): No

A spokesperson for Barry Andrews told Agriland that the MEP "supports Mercosur given the potential benefits across the economy - including dairy, alcohol, pharma, services".

Billy Kelleher said that he is "a free trader to my fingertips and it annoys me that I cannot support this deal".

"There are many positives to it but unfortunately the section regarding beef imports into the European Union is sub-optimal and not acceptable to me.

“While some positive tinkering around market distortion safeguards has been included, the fundamental issue of sub-standard beef, produced to lower health and safety requirements, entering the European food chain remains," he said.

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said she "stands firmly with Irish farmers and rural communities in my constituency in Ireland South who would be disproportionately affected by this deal".

The MEP said she is "actively campaigning against it with other MEPs", adding that she will do everything she can to oppose the deal.

A spokesperson for Barry Cowen said that "despite achieving multiple additional safeguards and concessions through his adopted amendments, Barry is not satisfied the deal is good for Irish beef farmers".

"It's not always about the money, sometimes it's about the principle and the principle here is reciprocity and a level playing pitch," he said.

Trade deal

Lynn Boylan said she has consistently opposed the Mercosur trade deal which she described as "a bad deal for people and planet".

"I have been appointed the Rapporteur for the Environment, Climate and Food Safety Committee’s opinion on Mercosur and will be using this to highlight the significant environmental and food safety concerns arising from this agreement.

"I am also glad to have been leading efforts on tabling a resolution to refer Mercosur to the Court of Justice of the European Union for an opinion on its compatibility with European law. This is now supported by 145 MEPs and is likely to be voted on next week," she said.

Meanwhile Seán Kelly told Agriland that he "will decide on my vote when this comes before parliament in the coming weeks having considered all aspects of the agreement in full."

However, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has already made his mind up and intends to vote against the Mercosur deal.

He said: "My opposition is grounded above all in its environmental consequences.

"I am also deeply concerned that the deal would reward lower standards of production in our food system. Trade policy must not become a race to the bottom that undermines both climate action and sustainable farming".

According to Maria Walsh, she has repeatedly voiced her concerns about Mercosur and said she will not support a deal that "risks inflicting significant damage on Ireland’s beef sector".

“I welcome the additional funding of €45 billion for the next CAP - but even with these measures, the trade deal remains unfair and unworkable for Irish farmers, particularly those in the West and North-West of Ireland," Walsh added.

But Regina Doherty believes that as a "small, open, export-led economy, Ireland depends on trade agreements to create jobs, support growth and secure access to new markets".

She said that she is supporting the trade deal because "the facts are clear about the economic benefits this agreement can deliver".

"Crucially, it will support a wide range of sectors across the Irish economy while including robust protections for farmers and ensuring that EU standards are fully upheld. I have consistently supported the inclusion of strong safeguards," she added.

However, Michael McNamara said that at the next plenary, he will vote for a resolution calling for the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) to examine the compatibility of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU Treaties.

"If, when the deal itself comes before the parliament, which is not expected to be for several months, even if the  revolution on referring it to the CJEU is not successful. I will vote against it," he added.

Ciaran Mullooly also told Agriland that he will vote against the Mercosur trade agreement.

He said that he has "just instigated the latest legal challenge" against the trade deal.

Update: Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan has subsequently contacted Agriland to confirm that he will vote against the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement when it comes before the EU Parliament.

Additional reporting by Francess McDonnell