In response to farmers' anger, Carrefour commits not to sell meat from Mercosur countries

At the heart of the agricultural mobilization, against the proposed free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, the mass distribution brand Carrefour has committed to “do not sell any meat from Mercosur »in a letter, Wednesday, November 20, addressed to the majority agricultural union FNSEA. “Everywhere in France, we hear the dismay and anger of farmers in the face of the draft agreement”affirms Alexandre Bompard, the boss of the second player in French distribution behind E. Leclerc, very established in Latin America.

In this letter published on X, Mr. Bompard mentions the “risk of spillover onto the French market of meat production not respecting its requirements and standards” and ensures that his company is committed to “do not market any meat from Mercosur”. Asked about the volumes concerned, the distributor specified that 96% of the beef and pork it sold came from France.

“We hope to inspire other players in the agri-food sector”said Mr. Bompard again, considering that “it’s by coming together” that it will be possible to reassure the fact “that there will be no possible circumvention”. “I particularly call on those involved in out-of-home catering, who represent more than 30% of meat consumption in France – but 60% of which is imported – to join our commitment. »

French farmers find that agriculture in France is threatened by the free trade agreement that the European Union (EU) is negotiating with the Latin American countries of Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay). While Mercosur would export agricultural products to the EU first (beef, poultry, pork, honey, sugar, etc.), producers denounce unfair competition conditions, these foodstuffs not meeting the same social and environmental standards as in Europe, even health in the event of failing controls.

On Monday, the European supermarket lobby, EuroCommerce, claimed in a press release to be part of 78 professional federations signatories of a call for “accelerate the conclusion of negotiations of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement”arguing that he could “help alleviate the challenges posed by geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions”. EuroCommerce counts among its members the Employers' Federation of French Supermarkets of which Mr. Bompard is president.