European Union agriculture ministers will meet on Wednesday for critical political discussions ahead of a possible vote on the long-debated Mercosur trade agreement later this week.
The meeting, organised by the European Commission, comes as opposition from several member states remains strong, particularly over concerns about the impact of the deal on European farmers.
An EU diplomat said the talks will be attended by EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen, and Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi.
The commissioners are expected to offer reassurances on continued income support for farmers under the next budget of the Common Agricultural Policy, an issue at the heart of resistance to the agreement.
The Mercosur deal aims to establish a free-trade area between the EU and four South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It was the subject of intense debate at the EU summit in December.
Supporters of the agreement, led by Germany and Spain, are pushing for a swift endorsement to gain access to new markets amid growing geopolitical and economic tensions. However, France and Italy previously succeeded in delaying a vote, citing fears that European farmers would struggle to compete with agricultural imports from Latin America.
Depending on the outcome of Wednesday’s discussions, EU farm ministers could pave the way for a vote on the agreement on Friday. Approval would require the backing of a qualified majority of EU member states.
Pressure over standards and imports
Among the key issues on the agenda are pesticide limits in imported products and demands for reciprocity in production standards. France has been calling for stricter guarantees that imports meet EU environmental and sanitary rules.
French farmers have been protesting for weeks against the Mercosur agreement and the government’s handling of lumpy skin disease, a viral illness affecting cattle.
In a letter sent on Sunday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu urged the EU to tighten border controls on products that do not comply with EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
Paris has also announced plans to suspend imports from Latin America that contain residues of pesticides banned within the EU. Such a move would require approval from the European Commission.
Pressure from France has already prompted the Commission to propose safeguard measures aimed at strengthening market monitoring to prevent sudden disruptions. That legislation is expected to be endorsed by all 27 member states on Friday during a meeting of EU ambassadors.
