Mercosur: after Carrefour, Intermarché also takes a position

Alexandre Bompard has been heard. A few hours after sending a strong signal – to no longer market meat from Mercosur countries, the CEO of Carrefour sees Thierry Cotillard, president of the Les Mousquetaires group, follow suit. “On these subjects which directly concern our food sovereignty, we must act collectively. This is why Intermarché and Netto also undertake not to sell meat from South America. We will also apply this principle in the processed products of our own brands. And because we must all mobilize, I call on manufacturers to demonstrate the same level of commitment and transparency regarding the origin of the raw materials used”declared the leader Thursday, November 21.

While the proposed free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries arouses the anger of farmers, the mass distribution brand Carrefour has committed to “do not market any meat from Mercosur”in a letter sent Wednesday, November 20 to the majority agricultural union that constitutes the FNSEA. Asked about the volumes concerned, the distributor however specified that 96% of the beef and pork it sold came from France. Enough to put Carrefour's commitment into perspective. “We hope to inspire other players in the agri-food sector”also underlined Alexandre Bompard, believing that “it’s by coming together” that it will be possible to reassure. “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”he concluded.

Upset, French farmers consider that agriculture in France is threatened by the free trade agreement that the European Union is currently negotiating with the Latin American countries of Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay). While Mercosur would export agricultural products to the European Union first (beef, poultry, pork, honey, sugar, etc.), producers denounce unfair competition conditions, these foodstuffs not meeting the same social and environmental standards. and health than in Europe. In this battle with very political overtones, two of the main French distributors took a stand. The first in a long series?