Brussels: The European Parliament has given its approval to a comprehensive package of enhanced safeguard measures designed to protect European farmers in light of the free trade agreement between the European Union and the MERCOSUR bloc, which comprises Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. These measures are aimed at mitigating potential negative impacts on European agriculture.
According to Emirates News Agency, the approved measures include stricter monitoring mechanisms for products deemed sensitive, such as beef, poultry, and sugar. There is a provision to reintroduce customs duties if disruptions occur in the European market. European Parliament members adopted more rigorous criteria than those initially suggested by EU member states. They have called on the European Commission to intervene under conditions where the price of an imported product from Mercosur countries is at least five percent lower than its EU equivalent and if the volume of duty-free imports increases by over five percent. The original proposal had set these thresholds at ten percent.
The European Parliament and EU member states are now tasked with reaching a consensus on this aspect of the safeguard measures. In the midst of escalating agricultural mobilization, France has advocated for delaying the process until 2026, whereas Germany has pushed for a prompt signing. European agricultural unions remain opposed to the agreement.
The agreement seeks to enhance European Union exports of cars and machinery, providing South American countries with broader access to the European market for products like meat, sugar, rice, honey, and soybeans. This has led to widespread concerns within European agricultural sectors.