EPP Group secures stronger protection for European farmers in Mercosur trade deal

Tonight, the European Parliament reached an agreement with EU Member States on additional protection measures for European farmers as part of the EU–Mercosur trade agreement. This marks a significant victory for the EPP Group, which has consistently defended the interests of European farmers throughout the negotiations.

The agreement introduces a safeguard clause allowing the EU to temporarily suspend tariff preferences on sensitive agricultural products - such as poultry and beef - imported from Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) if these imports threaten EU producers.

"The negotiations have been a success, and the overall outcome is clearly positive. The Parliament has managed to secure the adoption of its key amendments, lowering the safeguard threshold from 10% to 8%, strengthening monitoring, and consolidating the principle of reciprocity through a politically strong declaration by the Commission. In addition, we have succeeded in including citrus fruits among the protected products and obtaining clear commitments to reinforce controls and move towards greater harmonization of the rules applicable to imports. The Parliament has defended its position and safeguarded the essential elements of the agreement. With this agreement, farmers emerge stronger," said Gabriel Mato MEP, Parliament’s negotiator of the Mercosur agreement.

“I am very pleased that the trilogue negotiations on the Mercosur safeguard have been successfully concluded. We can now move towards the final steps, with the signing hopefully taking place this week, followed by parliamentary ratification early next year. A huge opportunity lies just around the corner, and we must seize it to boost our competitiveness,” said Jörgen Warborn MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on International Trade.