Coveney voices Mercosur concerns

The Minister has written to Commissioner Malmstrom over developments in trade talks.

Pat O'Toole

6 April 2016

Minister Simon Coveny, TD. Photo: Michael Scully

Minister Coveney has expressed strong concerns over the latest developments in relation to the EU-Mercosur trade negotiations.

He revealed he has followed up earlier contacts between trade commissioner Malmström and himself and cabinet colleague Richard Bruton by writing to her on Wednesday voicing his opposition. “Instead of including tariff rate quotas at this stage, as appears to be the intention, we must ensure that the treatment of sensitive products is handled at the appropriate point in the negotiation process,” he said, citing TTIP, “where they were deferred.” Ireland is joining with France and others in rasing the issue at Monday’s ministerial council meeting, Minister Coveney confirmed.

Mercosur – a politically expedient decision?

Farm organisations express alarm at tariff proposals in Mercosur talks

RELATED STORIES

Concerns over ‘undemocratic’ split Mercosur deal

James Hanly

Concerns over ‘undemocratic’ split Mercosur deal

The ‘split’ process could bypass national parliaments, denying member states, like Ireland, a say in a trade deal with the South American countries.

James Hanly

MEP abstains from Commission vote over Mercosur deal

Ciarán Mullooly chose not to vote on the leadership team that will guide EU policy for the next five years due to concerns about the lack of commitments and transparency regarding Mercocur.

Farmers Journal

2014: The year in interviews

This year, the Irish Farmers Journal spoke to Ministers Simon Coveney and Tom Hayes, Commissioner Phil Hogan, US Secretary Tom Vilsack and the Managing Directors of Dawn Meats, Glanbia and Supervalu.

Odile Evans

Second tranche of GLAS launched

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney has launched the second tranche of GLAS.