The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Trade

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details Mercosur Trade Deal

Intended results That the EU Commission addresses the serious contradictions and lack of policy co-ordination under the Green Deal, CAP and trade policies To highlight why the Mercosur Trade Deal cannot progress and that the existing access granted to beef not produced to our standards, including environmental, societal, traceability and animal health and welfare must be stopped. To highlight that of all sectors considered in the Cumulative Impact Assessment on EU Free Trade Agreements, the beef sector stands out as the most affected. To request a meeting with the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment To highlight to the Government and our MEPs to call out the continual undermining of Irish and EU beef farmers - Mercosur trade deal must be stopped and the existing access of substandard products closed off. That the double standards at EU level, allowing access to our key markets for products that are not and will not be produced to the exacting standards imposed on Irish and EU farmers must be stopped. To highlight that the Commission has an onus to publish the Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) without delay. That if the ideals of the EU Commission are to stand for anything, the Mercosur Trade deal must be stopped in it tracks. That Ireland must veto the deal and be prepared to reject the Mercosur deal (as per EU Rules). That the EU stops the flooding of the EU market with another 100,000 tonnes of beef that don't meet our standards.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Brendan Goldan IFA Livestock Chair, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Liam MacHale IFA Director Brussels, Tomas Bourke IFA Livestock Policy Executive, Pat O'Driscoll IFA Kerry Chair

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Letter (1)

Informal communication (6-10)

Social Media (1)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Leo Varadkar Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Philip O'Callaghan Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

Martin Heydon Minister of State (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)

Leo Varadkar An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Philip Kelly Assistant Secretary (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Matthew Lynch Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)