Brussels, 01/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Committee of Agricultural Organisations of the EU (Copa) has asked that no "hasty concession" on agriculture be made during negotiations between the EU and the Mercosur countries to conclude an association and free-trade agreement. Potential concessions to the Mercosur countries should not go "beyond" the mandate granted by the Council of Ministers of the EU to the European Commission, and should be taken into account in negotiations at the WTO, says the agricultural organisation. "It would be entirely unacceptable for the EU to make new concessions on agriculture in exchange for advantages in the field of services and public procurement", explained Copa. The European agricultural world "understands developing countries' need for better export opportunities in the future", wrote the organisation, which points out that the EU has already offered these countries "more concessions than any other developed region". Copa called upon developed countries to follow the EU's lead in this field.
During last week's Agriculture Council, Commissioner Franz Fischler confirmed that the EU intended to make a significant offer in the field of agriculture, during a negotiations session to be held with Mercosur in Brussels on 15 April. In response to a question from the German Minister, Renate Künast, on the state of play with negotiations, Mr Fischler pointed out that the main objective of negotiations in this filed was to reach agreement on the modalities for market access. The EU intends to reduce import duty on certain products, and establish tariff quotas for others. Mr Fischler said that differentiated customs duties would be applied, depending on the sensitivity of products for the Community. In the case of products considered sensitive for EU farmers, such as sugar, the Commission plans to grant Mercosur countries access to the Community market independently of the results of WTO negotiations.