THE MERCOSUR TRADE deal is due to be ratified by the European Council today, with the Tánaiste and Taoiseach confirming that Ireland will vote against it.

The controversial deal aims to reduce tariffs and other investment barriers between the EU and the South American bloc.

EU exporters that are expected to benefit the most from this deal include producers of cars, machinery, pharmaceuticals and alcohol. For Mercosur countries, the main gains would in agricultural exports such as beef, poultry, sugar, rice and honey.

Opposition from farmers has been strong in Ireland, France, Poland and several other EU states. Farming groups have argued that the deal would place downward pressure on beef prices and create unfair competition.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said that following negotiations with the EU, the government did not find the additional measures “sufficient to satisfy our citizens”.

To block the deal, four EU member states that represent 35% of the EU population must oppose it. Even if all countries that have indicated they will vote against the agreement do so, they would fall short of this threshold unless Italy follows suit. Italy has been increasingly expected to vote in support of the deal.

So, we wanted to ask: Do you support the Irish government’s decision to vote against the Mercosur trade deal?