Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has said that she does not have confidence in the European Commission to implement safeguard measures relating to the Mercosur trade deal.

Speaking to Agriland at the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week, the MEP, who is a member of The Left political grouping in the EU, said the EU has a poor track record in this context.

Funchion, Lynn Boylan (SF) and Luke 'Ming' Flanagan were the only Irish MEPs to vote against the safeguards to the deal between the EU and South American countries of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.