IFA president meets French ambassador
The Mercosur trade deal and other issues were on the agenda as the IFA president met with the French ambassador.
Print15 April 2025
Francie Gorman, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), has recently met the French ambassador to discuss the Mercosur trade deal.
It was confirmed by the ambassador that Thomas Byrne, Minister of European affairs, had been invited to a meeting regarding the deal but was unable to attend.
Gorman comments
Francie Gorman said he had written to Simon Harris, Tánaiste and Minister for trade, to organise a meeting regarding the trade deal.
He said: “The government gave a clear commitment in their programme for government to work with other member states to oppose the Mercosur deal, yet they were not at this meeting organised by France. It is very concerning.
“The ambassador assured us that the French remain opposed to a deal that would allow in more imports that do not meet our world-class standards. Ambassador place emphasised that president Macron continues to voice his opposition to the deal because of the negative implications for European farmers,” he said.
The meeting
Tariffs placed on Irish food products were also discussed in the meeting between the IFA president and the French ambassador.
It was pledged that Ireland’s issues would remain at the forefront of government thinking and that they would remain in contact to work on priority issues.
Read more: IFA expresses its dismay following Trumps tariffs announcement
© 2025, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
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