EU ‘already given a lot on agriculture’ in Mercosur talks

EUROPEAN farmers are stepping up their lobbying efforts as trade talks with the Mercosur bloc enter the final strait this week.

In a letter to Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, farmers’ federations Copa and Cogeca have opposed any further concessions on beef, sugar, poultry, ethanol, rice and orange juice imports to the EU.

“The EU has already given a lot on agriculture to the Mercosur countries in the trade negotiations, without getting much in return,” said Copa President Joachim Rukwied.

“Any further attempts to sell off agriculture in the trade talks will jeopardise growth and jobs in rural areas which runs counter to the EU strategy of reviving rural jobs in Europe”, said Cogeca President Thomas Magnusson.

The letter came as France underlined the “need to ensure consistency” between agriculture and trade policy during a meeting of EU farm ministers on Monday.

France, Ireland and a group of at least eight other countries have called on the EU to restrict an impending offer to the Mercosur bloc, particularly on beef.

The EU’s latest offer would see Mercosur countries allowed to export 70,000 tonnes of beef to the EU at lower prices.

Farm lobbies are aiming to keep the new offer below 100,000 and phase it in over a longer time, to take into account the expected oversupply in the bloc after Brexit.

Negotiators are meeting in Paraguay this week after making little progress in Brussels earlier this month.

The EU is still looking for concessions from Mercosur on market access for EU cars, dairy, protected food and drinks, and maritime services.