'Boxer' vows to "stand with farmers" against Mercosur deal

Local OPW Minister, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, has issued a lengthy statement in support of the Government's decision to vote against the Mercosur trade deal in Brussel's tomorrow (Friday).

An estimated figure of between 5,000 and 10,000 people are expected to gather in Athlone this Saturday for a major national protest rally against the EU's proposed Mercosur trade deal with countries in South America.

If the Mercosur trade deal is approved by the EU Parliament, the OPW Minister stated that it would have a negative impact on Ireland’s agriculture-based economy.

In his statement, Minister Moran said that he and his Regional Independent Group colleagues in the Dáil "have been steadfast in our support of that position".

'Despite recent commentary both online and from opposition politicians, Government has confirmed again, this morning, that Ireland will be voting against the Mercosur deal – there is nothing new in this stance – there was a written commitment in the Programme for Government to oppose it and I, along with my colleagues in the Regional Independent Group have been steadfast in our support of that position.

'Opposing Mercosur was always a core objective for me and the Regional Independents in Government; it was copper-fastened in the Programme for Government and our position has never wavered, despite what some opposition politicians are claiming this morning.

'Nothing has changed, despite what some opposition TDs and MEPs might have been trying to spin in recent weeks. Performative politics achieves nothing – real action on the ground and rolling up the sleeves in the corridors of power is far more effective.

'I do my talking where it matters where it counts. I have opposed Mercosur from day one and was up front and centre in ensuring that this was included in the Programme for Government.

'This issue was a defining priority for Independents before we entered Government and it proves exactly why Independents at the Cabinet table matter. I want to pay tribute to my Independent colleagues in Government for their unwavering commitment and for making sure our voice was heard at every stage.

'Much of the current commentary is plainly disingenuous. Those who now shout from the sidelines deliberately chose not to take responsibility in Government and played no part in the detailed, months-long work on Mercosur. While others posture for headlines, we have been quietly and relentlessly getting on with the serious work that protects rural Ireland.

'With a vote expected on Friday, the Government has simply restated a position that has always been ours — make no mistake, this is not new; opposing this deal has been our stance from the start.

'Unity is key, and MEPs now have the chance to block the deal. Farmers' standards must be upheld, and this should always be the case.

'I will always stand with Irish farmers and rural communities and I will continue to do so – my door is always open to people to come in and talk to me – anonymous trolls and those behind faceless Facebook accounts do nothing only create hate and division.

'For many months and weeks I and my colleagues in the Regional Independent Group in Government have worked quietly and diligently to protect Irish farmers and rural communities, and I have seen firsthand the daily efforts being made by Government leaders as they engaged with EU counterparts to build a blocking group and defend our agricultural standards.

'There is not a single public representative in Ireland that does not see that the Mercosur deal is a bad deal for Europe and for Ireland’s agriculture-based economy.

'Our farmers operate to the highest standards in the world and must never be undercut by imports that do not meet those same standards. MEPs will have another opportunity in the coming weeks to block this deal, and I expect Irish MEPs to stand with farmers and oppose Mercosur.

'I am also deeply concerned about anonymous social media operators who, hiding behind secrecy, are shamelessly spreading hate and disinformation about my position and that of the Government.

'This is not a debate about personalities, it is about the future of our farmers and rural communities. Communities should not be divided or manipulated by falsehoods on social platforms when the stakes are so high; we must insist on transparency, call out disinformation, and keep public debate factual and united.'