Ciaran Mullooly MEP has welcomed the move by the French and Italian Governments to defer the vote on the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, which had been scheduled to take place in Strasbourg this week.
Following months of consultations with French and Italian MEPs on the significant dangers associated with the Mercosur trade agreement, a coalition of like-minded, anti-Mercosur countries has indicated that it formally requested a deferral of the vote in Strasbourg.
Mr Mullooly said he strongly welcomes this development and hopes that the postponement will allow for further negotiations, greater clarity, and a genuine recognition of the serious concerns held by Irish and European farmers, including those in Ireland, France and Italy, in relation to the trade agreement.
He added that food safety and traceability concerns will also need to be fully addressed in the coming weeks, particularly in light of differing production standards between the EU and Mercosur countries.
Ciaran Mulooly joinsed us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.