On Tuesday 28 November, the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture expressed its concern at the acceleration of negotiations, which resume next week, on the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur member countries (see EUROPE 13293/22).
The European Commission has said that there is “political will” on both sides to conclude these negotiations quickly, and that the discussions are no longer really focused on agriculture. One part of the agreement still to be negotiated, however, concerns the use of geographical indications, the institution conceded.
Juan Ignacio Zoido (EPP, Spanish) praised the merits of the agreement (30% reduction in customs duties, protection of GIs), while referring to the problems on the European side, particularly regarding meat and sugar. He called for the inclusion of reciprocity measures (mirror clauses).
Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spanish) was “reticent” about this agreement with countries “that do not have the same production model”. According to Jérémy Decerle (Renew Europe, French), the EU’s agricultural sector “fears the approval of this agreement, which could destabilise the sector in Europe. We need to put the brakes on” in the negotiations. Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA, Austrian) criticised the possibility of EU producers having to compete against a South American agricultural system that uses the most dangerous pesticides and has no reliable system for tracing livestock. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)