The extent to which the farming lobby has hijacked the debate on Mercosur is quite extraordinary. And good luck to them. To use the phrase generally attributed to Roy Keane, “that’s their job”.

But the hyperbole that has built up around the deal is giving a completely false impression of the pluses and minuses for Ireland, and has been crucial in the Coalition’s decision to vote No. And it ignores the crucially changed international political context applying to a small trading nation. Ireland – which positions itself as a champion of free trade – is one of just five EU countries opposing the deal that will now be approved by a qualified majority of member states. It still requires approval by the European Parliament.

The level of overstatement was perhaps best exemplified by Sinn Féin spokesman Martin Kenny, who told RTÉ that the Mercosur deal was “very, very devastating for everybody across the globe and particularly here in Ireland”. Farmers have painted a picture of tumbling beef prices and unsafe product entering the Irish market. In reality, the amount of South American beef entering the EU market will be capped, will still be subject to a 7.5 per cent tariff, or import tax, and safeguards and compensation packages have been negotiated.

There has been argument back and forth about the extent of these safeguards. Opposition by Ireland, France and others has secured concessions and compensation. And there will still be some challenges for the beef sector, for sure. However,

© The Irish Times