Midland North West MEP, Ciaran Mullooly has explained that he changed his vote in the European Parliament this afternoon (Tuesday, February 10) to now support the safeguards in the EU Mercosur trade deal.

The vote held at around 12:30p.m Strasbourg time, saw the Independent Ireland MEP vote against the safeguards, aimed at protecting the EU's agriculture sector.

The Independent Ireland MEP was one of four TDs who initially voted against the conditions and clauses attached to the trade deal.

However, the MEP who is a member of the Renew political grouping in the EU, subsequently changed his vote later today to instead vote in favour of the safeguards.

Agriland spoke to MEP Mullooly in Strasbourg after he changed his vote to find out his reasoning for doing so - which you can view in the video below.

The new regulation, already informally agreed with EU member states, was adopted by 483 in favour and 102 against, with 67 abstentions.

The EU Mercosur trade deal will create one of the world's biggest free trade zone, covering a market of over 700 million consumers.

It is estimated the agreement can increase EU annual exports to Mercosur countries of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, by up to 39% (€49 billion).

Mercosur is expected to remove duties on 91% of EU exports over a period of 10 years for most products. 

It will allow 99,000t of Mercosur beef to enter the EU market with a 7.5% duty.

Today's adopted safeguard measures stipulate that the European Commission will launch an investigation into the need for protection measures when imports of sensitive agricultural products, including poultry, beef, eggs, citrus and sugar, increase by 5% on a three-year average.

This applies if, at the same time, import prices are 5% below the relevant domestic price.

An investigation may also be requested by a member state, a person representing the industry, or an industry association, in case of a threat to the industry concerned.

The bilateral safeguard clauses are to be part of both the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement.

Those two agreements still need to be ratified by the European Parliament which has asked for the opinion of the European Court of Justice on whether the agreements are compatible with EU treaties.

In the meantime, the parliament cannot ratify the agreements, but the European Commission may opt for the provisional application of the agreement once at least one Mercosur country has completed its ratification.

Standing rapporteur for Mercosur, Gabriel Mato said: “The safeguards will ensure that the EU–Mercosur agreement is accompanied by a balanced and credible protection mechanism for our agricultural sector.

"They strengthen market monitoring, introduce clear and objective criteria to detect disruptions, and allow for faster action for sensitive products when there are indications of harm.

"They will provide farmers with stability and predictability, while preserving the overall balance of the agreement."

Vote

The Irish MEPs who voted in favour of the safeguards are as follows:

Nina Caberry (FG);
Regina Doherty (FG);
Barry Andrews (FF);
Barry Cowen (FF);
Aodhan Ó'Ríordáin (Lab);
Billy Kelleher (FF);
Sean Kelly (FG);
Maria Walsh (FG);
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (FF);
Ciaran Mullooly (Independent Ireland) - changed vote after earlier voting against.

Those who voted against the safeguards are as follows:

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Ind);
Lynn Boylan (SF);
Kathleen Funchion (SF).