Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) support rules prepared to protect the European Union's (EU) agriculture. This step is being taken on the eve of the signing of a trade agreement between the EU and MERCOSUR, a bloc of South American countries. This agreement envisages the implementation of certain measures regarding the import of EU agricultural products.
Redaksiya reports that the International Trade Committee has adopted its position on safeguard mechanisms for agricultural imports from MERCOSUR countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The draft law was adopted with 27 votes in favor, 8 against, and 7 abstentions. This legislation allows the EU to temporarily suspend tariff preferences for agricultural imports from MERCOSUR countries. This will be applied if EU producers suffer damage.
MEPs want the Commission to impose stricter conditions for the application of safeguard measures. For example, an investigation into safeguard measures should be initiated when imports of sensitive agricultural products (such as poultry or beef) increase by 5% over a three-year average (compared to the Commission's initial proposal of 10%). Furthermore, they want to shorten the duration of these investigations. Generally, it is envisaged to shorten it from six months to three months, and for sensitive products from four months to two months. The committee also added that safeguard measures could be in the form of a reciprocity obligation for MERCOSUR countries to apply EU production standards. Gabriel Mato (European People's Party, Spain), standing rapporteur for MERCOSUR, stated that the support of political groups for a solid and balanced compromise is a strong commitment. These safeguard measures significantly improve the way the regulation works, providing stronger protection for our farmers and a more reliable framework for enforcement. The compromises also reflect the key priorities raised by our colleagues in the Committee on Agriculture, which are essential for building broad confidence in Parliament. I will do my utmost to defend these improvements in the upcoming negotiations, as they are crucial for achieving not only an effective but also a fair and reliable outcome. Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), Chair of the International Trade Committee, stated that we are listening to our farmers. Today, we have shown the EU's agricultural sector that if producers are negatively affected by the EU-MERCOSUR agreement, we will protect them. Although the trade agreement itself contains very carefully regulated quotas for sensitive products, our agreement today ensures that the threshold for initiating monitoring and investigation by the Commission is lowered. Today's agreement should pave the way for the signing of the trade agreement and, consequently, its ratification in the European Parliament.
As part of the next steps, the Parliament's plenary session will adopt the negotiating mandate at the plenary session to be held from December 15-18. After that, interinstitutional negotiations will begin with EU governments on the final form of the legislation. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) support rules prepared to protect the European Union's (EU) agriculture. This step is being taken on the eve of the signing of a trade agreement between the EU and MERCOSUR, a bloc of South American countries. This agreement envisages the implementation of certain measures regarding the import of EU agricultural products.