ICSA president Sean McNamara has said he is outraged that the European Commission has announced the provisional application of the Mercosur trade deal from 1 May 2026. “This is happening despite the European Parliament not having voted on it and the ongoing legal review by the European Court of Justice. What is happening is disgraceful, and farmers everywhere will rightly feel angered and let down,” he said.

Continuing, Mr McNamara said, “ICSA is deeply disappointed in our Government for not doing enough to defend Irish agriculture, and in the European Commission for pressing ahead regardless of democratic process. Farmers have mobilised massive opposition to this deal and repeatedly highlighted the environmental risks and dangers to consumers from hormone-treated beef, yet the Commission appears willing to press ahead anyway. This disregard for the concerns of Irish and European farmers is deeply frustrating and unacceptable. We in ICSA will continue to challenge these decisions and fight for the future of Irish agriculture.”

 In addition, he said the timing of this announcement could not be worse. “Farmers are already grappling with soaring fuel and input costs, as well as extreme uncertainty over future CAP supports. The sector simply cannot bear any more pressure. What makes this even more galling is the sense among farmers that no matter how strong or widespread the opposition, their voices are being ignored. That cannot be allowed to stand.”