Brussels, 25/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The formal re-opening of negotiations over a free-trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela), recommended at the start of May this year by the European Commission (see EUROPE 10133) and agreed to on the fringes of the 18 May EU-Latin America and Caribbean summit in Madrid, will take place on 29 June with a meeting of high-ranking officials in Buenos Aires , Argentina, from 29 June to 2 July. The question will also be discussed at the EU-Brazil summit in Brasilia on 14 July (Brazil will be chairing Mercosur from 1 July onwards).
As reported, the impact of the re-opening of trade talks between the EU and Latin America is generating concern at the European Parliament, where the agriculture committee voiced cross-bench concerns at the start of the month about the dangers of such a deal for European farming (see EUROPE 10158). At the next EP plenary on 5-8 July, the Commission will answer an oral question from MEPs in the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens and ECR about the dangers of an EU-Mercosur trade deal for EU beef and cereal farmers and for horticulture. (E.H./transl.fl)