Lhe public debate around the negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union is mobilizing various segments of society, given that the two regions have a population of around 750 million and that the agreement has the potential to elevate trade between the parties to an unprecedented level. Brazil respects the democratic opposition of certain sectors to the agreement. This position, however, cannot justify a public campaign based on the widespread dissemination of disinformation against products from Brazil, a traditional trading partner of the European Union and Belgium. My goal with this article is to clarify certain aspects of the agreement and contribute to an informed discussion on the subject.
Recently, false claims have been propagated that the agreement would lead to an “overflow of meat from Mercosur onto the European market” and, therefore, into the Belgian market and that the products “do not meet the requirements and standards of the Mercosur European Union”, representing “unfair competition”. First, it is important to know the size of the meat trade between our regions. The concessions to Mercosur represent a very small percentage of European consumption, which can in no way be considered as a risk of an “invasion” of South American products.
Avian flu
Regarding poultry meat, in recent days there has been a veritable disinformation campaign surrounding the results of a recent EU audit assessing Brazil’s controls on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly called “bird flu”. The general conclusions of the audit of the DG Health of the European Commission, it should be remembered, indicate that “the system [brésilien] put in place provides sufficient guarantees that products likely to be exported to the EU meet most of the requirements applicable to imports. Regarding the audit recommendations, it should be noted that DG Health considered all the responses from the Brazilian authorities “satisfactory”.
Avian flu checks and case investigations are completely public and can be verified by anyone on the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture page. Brazilian producers respect and bear the costs of trade restrictions and culling in the event of disease. If Brazil were to face an episode of HPAI in its commercial establishments, we would, like the Europeans, take all necessary measures, including culling, in accordance with our laws and international standards. We would inform relevant parties and cooperate with our partners and international organizations (such as the World Organization for Animal Health – WHOA). This is precisely what Brazil did recently during a recent outbreak of Newcastle disease (also present in the EU), which was immediately notified to WHOA and led to the culling of 7,000 birds. This episode is now closed. It therefore makes no sense to talk about unfair competition, since Brazilian farmers are subject to very strict rules, which are mandatory, just like European farmers.
In summary, Brazil has an exemplary system of surveillance and cooperation in animal health, recognized by our partners. This explains why we are the world’s leading exporter of poultry meat, recognized for its high quality and which meets the highest health standards. Let us also forget that in addition to exporting poultry meat to other countries, the product is widely consumed and appreciated in Brazil, a market with more than 210 million consumers, whose health is a priority for the Brazilian authorities.
Production standards and health safety
The trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union does not compromise the high standards of production and health safety adopted in both regions. Brazil is proud of being, for decades, a safe supplier of animal proteins to the European market, as well as its ability to fully meet the requirements and health controls of more than 160 countries, including the rigorous controls of the European Union.
Additionally, it should be noted that Brazilian producers are subject to sustainability and production standards that are often stricter than those in the EU. Our Forest Code reserves between 20 and 80% of the total surface area of rural properties for the preservation of native vegetation (80% throughout the Amazon biome), figures without equivalent in European environmental regulations.
Strategic association
It is important to underline the strategic nature of an association between Mercosur and the European Union, two regions which share important values and which have a strong cultural affinity. In a context of rapid transformations in the global geopolitical landscape, the agreement will allow the two regions to not only diversify their consumer markets, but also to expand the range of their suppliers. Both Mercosur and European Union countries stand to gain from this agreement, which opens new opportunities for the business community in many economic sectors, ultimately benefiting the populations of both continents.
Brazil attaches great importance to the Belgian Economic Mission currently visiting the country, led by Princess Astrid. With more than 400 members, it represents a diversity of sectors important to our bilateral cooperation: sustainable agriculture, industrial bioeconomy, port development, sustainable food and beverage trade, energy transition, climate and health, among others.
This visit takes place at a favorable time to give greater meaning and depth to economic relations between Brazil and Belgium. There is, on the other hand, a paradox in the fact that the Belgian economic sector has clearly demonstrated that it understands the importance of the partnership with Brazil, but that, at the same time, the potential of this partnership is limited by the lack of a Mercosur-EU agreement.
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