While the farmers are in battle order and preparing to demonstrate throughout France from next Monday, as announced by the FDSEA and the JA du Bas-Rhin, who will go to the Pont de l'Europe in Strasbourg in the company German farmers, the government is trying to reassure the agricultural world.
France is using “all means” to block the adoption of the treaty between the EU and Mercosur countries, said this Thursday the Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, at a time when this project is rejected en bloc by farmers. All means, including “institutional and voting means at the European level so that Mercosur as it stands does not pass”, detailed Antoine Armand during an interview on SudRadio radio, adding “that we are convinced our partners who can sometimes hesitate.”
At least four countries are needed for a blockade
It must be said that the European Union seems determined to sign this free trade agreement with Latin American Mercosur countries by the end of the year. To block the decision, France must bring together a blocking minority within the Council, which brings together EU member states. However, nothing is less certain. Germany and Spain are pushing with all their weight for a signature. And if Poland or Austria have regularly expressed their opposition, this is insufficient, because a minimum of four states are needed to constitute a blocking minority. But some in Brussels want to believe it, judging that countries like Italy, Ireland or the Netherlands can tip the scales.
But these members are reserving their position for the moment, according to diplomatic sources in Brussels. “We are organizing with European countries to make people understand the danger that this agreement would represent,” Antoine Armand added on Thursday, insisting that “France is totally determined […] so that Mercosur is not signed as it stands.
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