Mullooly disappointed by lack of unity among Irish MEPs and Fine Gael on safeguards for Irish family farmers

Ciaran Mullooly, MEP for Midlands North West, has expressed disappointment at the lack of unity among Irish MEPs - particularly Fine Gael - when it comes to defending robust safeguards for Irish family farmers in the face of major EU trade decisions. Mullooly highlighted the recent European Parliament votes on the Mercosur trade agreement, where a series of crucial amendments were brought forward to strengthen food safety, ensure fair competition, and uphold the interests of rural Ireland.

These amendments called for rigorous scrutiny of the Mercosur deal’s impact on EU sustainability and food safety standards, demanded enforceable guarantees for a level playing field for EU farmers, and insisted that any agreement must fully comply with EU sustainability standards and the reciprocity principle before ratification. One amendment even called for the deal to be scrapped altogether due to its negative implications for food safety, agricultural sovereignty, and the environment.

Mullooly said, “At a time when Irish family farms are under unprecedented pressure, it is more important than ever that Irish MEPs stand together to defend our agricultural sector. The lack of solidarity—especially from Fine Gael—on these vital safeguards is deeply disappointing and sends the wrong message to farmers who depend on us for representation and protection.”

He further pointed out that Tánaiste Simon Harris has publicly stated that “if given the chance he will absolutely have the backs of Irish farmers and that the agricultural sector is extraordinarily important to Fine Gael.” Mullooly questioned, “So why have they voted against the wishes of Irish family farmers, and not even told them that they have done so?”

He stressed that members of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (AGRI) have a duty to act as vigilant defenders of Irish and EU food safety and rural livelihoods, dealing directly with the issues before them. “Family farmers and rural communities deserve nothing less than full protection and honest representation at every stage,” Mullooly concluded.

*Footnote:*

The amendments referenced, all to Paragraph 76 of the McAllister report (A10-0010/2025), were as follows and were voted on in the Strasbourg Plenary session on 2 April 2025:

• Amendment 1 (Carlo Fidanza, Adam Bielan, Alberico Gambino, on behalf of the ECR Group):

Takes note of the conclusion of the agreement with Mercosur; expresses concern regarding its potentially negative impact on EU sustainability and safety standards and on the competitiveness of the EU agri-food sector, and underlines that Parliament must examine whether the agreement meets the EU sustainability standards and complies with the reciprocity principle, before ratification can be considered.5

• Amendment 53 (Manon Aubry, Estrella Galán, Anthony Smith, Emma Fourreau, Lynn Boylan, Luke Ming Flanagan, on behalf of The Left Group):

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to definitively abandon the signing the EU-Mercosur agreement, as it is detrimental to European farmers, undermines the agricultural and food sovereignty of the Union, and presents significant risks to public health and the environment.1

• Amendment 64 (Hannah Neumann, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group):

Regrets that EU farmers have not been sufficiently guaranteed a level playing field; regrets, furthermore, the lack of enforceability of the chapter on trade and sustainable development and the uncertainties stemming from the rebalancing mechanism; calls, therefore, on the Commission to envisage instead a different mutually beneficial and sustainable development-oriented partnership.