MEPs speak out against free trade agreement with Mercosur
MEPs voted Tuesday by a large majority against the free trade agreement as currently negotiated between the European Union and the South American single market Mercosur, a symbolic vote but on which the government intends to rely to defend its opposition to its European partners.
MEPs approved by 484 votes for, 70 votes against, a government statement according to which the pact does not currently guarantee “fair conditions of competition” for French farmers.
Negotiations between Brussels and Mercosur were launched in the early 2000s and the European executive hopes to finalize them by the end of the year. France is opposed to the text, believing that as it stands it would be detrimental to French farmers, but cannot on its own block the conclusion of an agreement.
“The production of Mercosur countries does not allow us to guarantee either compliance with European standards for imported foodstuffs as we envisage it in Europe, nor the establishment of fair conditions of competition for our farmers,” declared the minister. of Agriculture Annie Genevard at the National Assembly before the vote of the deputies.
“Faced with the prospect of the ratification of this agreement, let us send our partners a clear message,” she added, assuring that a “transpartisan agreement against the signing of this agreement, as the Commission envisages, would have great political force.
Earlier today, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland also opposes the free trade agreement with Mercosur in its current form.
“It’s a magnificent signal to which we too must contribute,” Annie Genevard reacted to the deputies.
Senators are also called on Wednesday to vote on the free trade agreement with Mercosur.
(Written by Blandine Hénault)
France
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