02/04/2025 (Agence Europe) – The vote in the European Parliament on the report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (see other news) was an opportunity for MEPs to restate their position on the EU/Mercosur trade agreement. While the rapporteur, David McAllister (EPP, German), proposed “welcoming” the conclusion of the negotiations, several political groups tabled more critical amendments.
It was the ECR group’s proposal that was adopted, in which the European Parliament “takes note” of the conclusion and “expresses its concern about the potentially negative consequences of this agreement for the European Union’s sustainability and safety standards and the competitiveness of the European agri-food sector”.The MEPs did not make a clear decision on whether to approve or reject the agreement. Renew Europe, PfE and The Left had submitted amendments calling for the agreement to be rejected, but these were not accepted.
The ECR amendment was adopted by a margin of 11 votes (265 in favour, 254 against, 146 abstentions). MEPs already took such a position last February (see EUROPE 13578/26). (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)