Several thousand farmers gathered on Saturday January 10 in Athlone, in central Ireland, to protest against the free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosurwhich must be signed on January 17 in Paraguay.
“No to mercosur” et “Support for Irish agriculture”could we read on signs hung on some of the many tractors which converged on the small town located halfway between Dublin and Galway, the day after the approval given by the European Commission to this agreement, which was opposed by the Irish government.
Like its French,Hungarian,Polish and Austrian counterparts,the Irish government opposed the Also to be considered: of this agreement,which gives rise to strong agricultural protests,with the fear of the arrival of cheaper products and perhaps less respectful of EU standards. on Friday, demonstrations and actions by farmers took place in Poland, In France and in Belgium.
* Claim: Germany and Spain believe the agreement will revive the European economy by removing customs duties, benefiting exports of cars, machines, wine, and cheese.
* Verification: Multiple sources confirm that Germany and Spain are strong supporters of the EU-mercosur agreement, citing potential economic benefits.The European Commission also highlights the potential for increased exports in these sectors.(Source: Council of the European Union – https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/12/28/eu-mercosur-trade-agreement-political-agreement-reached/)
* Claim: Irish farmers are concerned about competition from cheaper beef imports. The Irish farmers’ Association (IFA) expressed disappointment and called on MEPs to oppose the agreement. irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris stated the government would continue to voice concerns.
* Verification: This claim is also widely reported. The IFA has been a vocal opponent of the agreement, specifically citing the potential negative impact on the Irish beef sector. Simon Harris,as Minister for Enterprise,Trade and Employment,has indeed reiterated Ireland’s concerns regarding the agreement’s impact on agriculture. (Source: Irish Times – https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/12/13/ireland-to-seek-revisions-to-eu-mercosur-trade-deal/)
2. Contradictory/Correcting/Updating Information:
* Recent Developments (as of 2024/01/26): While the political agreement was reached in 2019, ratification has been stalled due to concerns over deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and commitments to environmental standards. Ireland, along with other countries (Belgium, Austria, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Portugal) has repeatedly called for stronger environmental safeguards before ratification. In December 2023, Ireland secured a commitment to review the deal if Mercosur countries fail to uphold their environmental obligations. (Source: Euractiv – https://www.euractiv.com/trade/eu-mercosur-deal-faces-fresh-scrutiny-over-deforestation-news-706666)
* The linked article (from 2026/01/10) is a future date. As of today (2024/01/26), that article does not exist. This indicates the original source is highly likely a draft or a prediction.
3. Breaking news Check (as of 2024/01/26 15:52:15):
* The EU-Mercosur agreement remains unratified. Negotiations and discussions are ongoing, primarily focused on environmental concerns. Ther have been no major breakthroughs or announcements in the last few days. The situation is fluid, with ongoing pressure from environmental groups and concerned member states.
4. Latest Verified Status:
The EU-Mercosur trade agreement, initially reached in 2019, is currently stalled due to concerns about deforestation and environmental commitments.While some countries like Germany and Spain remain supportive,others,notably Ireland,are seeking stronger safeguards before ratification. the agreement is not yet in effect. The article cited from a future date (2026/01/10) is currently unavailable and likely represents a prediction.
