Twenty thousand people shout 'no' to Mercosur
The packed sports arena at TUS Athlone. Thousands more are viewing the proceedings from outside the sports arena.
Twenty thousand people have gathered in Athlone this afternoon as anger grows over the progression of the EU-Mercosur deal.
On Friday, the EU ambassador approved a trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay – but it still needs to be backed by the European Parliament.
The Irish Government voted against the deal in its current form, with senior Cabinet figures insisting that negotiations are not finalised.
The trade deal with the EU involves four Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Addressing the thousands gathered inside and outside the sports arena at TUS Athlone, with thousands more joining online, Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly said they were there to “show our strength, show our solidarity, and to say no to Mercosur”.
The gathering heard that this was the first time all of the country’s farming and rural organisations were standing together on an issue.
MEP Mullooly added that he was so proud that people were standing shoulder to shoulder with Irish farmers. “We do not want beef contaminated with antibiotics and other banned substances,” he said.
To loud cheers he declared “no farmer no food”.
He added that the deal had to be approved by the Parliament and Italian MEPs had contacted him saying they stand with the campaign.
“I will not apologise for doing my job, protecting and defending Irish farmers,” he said.
Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said it was shameful that some MEPs were supporting the deal, to bring in 'rotten' South American beef.
MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan said that the strength of the crowd had shown that there was still spirit in Ireland. “The whole country has to wake up to this. Everybody should be fighting against this “skunk of a deal," he said.
