EU‑Mercosur trade deal sparks widespread French protests
French agricultural organisations are calling for protests against the EU agreement with Mercosur due to threats to European agriculture, reports the Polish Press Agency (PAP). Demonstrations are set to begin on 18th November. Politico reports that the EU agreement with South American countries could be signed later this year.
FNSEA, one of the main agricultural organisations in France, Coordination Rurale, and Confederation Paysanne, which originate from protest movements against economic globalisation, have announced protests.
"This trade agreement, which links part of the South American states to Europe, risks having dramatic consequences for agriculture," stated Arnaud Rousseau, head of FNSEA, in an interview with France Inter radio.
Appeal to the European Commission. France fears Mercosur
Over 600 deputies have appealed to Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission (EC), emphasising that the agreement does not meet democratic and environmental criteria.
The French Prime Minister is expected to discuss the issue with the EC President in Brussels. According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, Michel Barnier will express "his absolute opposition to the agreement."
France fears that products from Mercosur countries do not meet EU standards. The agreement, dubbed "cows for cars", is controversial due to the lower environmental requirements in Mercosur countries.
EU-Mercosur agreement this year? Meat industry opposes
According to Politico, the EU may sign the agreement with Mercosur in early December during the summit in Montevideo (Uruguay). The candidate for the EU's chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, warns that China will if the EU does not sign the agreement.
Mercosur is a political-economic organisation comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. The EU has been negotiating the terms of a free trade agreement for over 20 years.
Negotiations have been delayed partly due to France's opposition, which fears the agreement will impact the competitiveness of European agriculture. Among the arguments are significantly lower environmental requirements in Mercosur countries and different food production standards.
However, France is not the only country with reservations about tightening cooperation with South American countries. Opponents of the initiative emphasise that food products from Mercosur countries mostly do not meet EU standards, including sustainability requirements.
