EU Bolsters Farming Trade Safeguards

In a decisive move to bolster the European Union’s agricultural sector, the International Trade Committee has endorsed new rules to protect EU agriculture against potential adverse impacts from the trade agreement with Mercosur countries. The agreement includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, which are significant agricultural exporters.

The newly adopted draft regulation, which received a vote of 27 in favor, 8 against, and 7 abstentions, outlines the conditions under which the EU could temporarily suspend tariff preferences for agricultural imports from these nations. This suspension would be considered if such imports demonstrably harm EU producers. The regulation adjustment proposes more stringent thresholds for triggering protective safeguards and reduces the investigation timeline, aiming for quicker implementation to shield sensitive sectors like poultry and beef.

Gabriel Mato, the standing rapporteur for Mercosur from the European People’s Party, expressed satisfaction with the committee’s commitment to a balanced compromise. “These safeguards not only ensure stronger protection for our farmers,” Mato stated, “but also provide a more reliable framework for regulation implementation.” Moreover, Bernd Lange, Chair of the International Trade Committee, emphasized the EU’s responsiveness to agricultural stakeholders, ensuring that if negative impacts arise from the EU-Mercosur agreement, protective measures will be swiftly enacted.

The next steps involve the Parliament’s plenary adopting its negotiating mandate in the upcoming session scheduled for December 15-18. Subsequent interinstitutional negotiations with EU governments will finalize the legislation’s shape. This rigorous process underscores the EU’s effort to maintain a fair trading environment while safeguarding its agricultural interests.