Agreement with Mercosur. Farmers are not sufficient for compensation. “Weaken our production”
On Wednesday, the European Commission decided to conclude a trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, i.e. a group of South American countries. Until the full ratification of the contract by the parliaments of the member states, a temporary agreement is to apply. In turn, to counteract potential negative effects on the European market, the Commission announced the introduction of the so -called “safety brake”. Thanks to this, it is possible to limit excessive imports of food from outside the EU, and farmers will be able to use in case of difficulties compensation within the EU agricultural reserve. EUR 6.3 billion was allocated in the future budget of the European Union for this purpose.
However, this decision caused concerns among representatives of farmers. Wiktor Szmulewicz, president of the National Council of Agricultural Chambers, clearly expressed his concern on the influence of cheap food products from South America on the situation of European farmers. He noted that Lower labor, energy and production costs in Mercosur countries will make the competition to EU producers who operate according to rigorous quality standards.
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“I would not really like compensation, because they weaken our production, I would rather protect agricultural production” – emphasized Wiktor Szmulewicz.
According to the President of Krir, European producers should be an example for other regions of the world thanks to high quality and security standards. He also pointed out that Europe, being one of the largest markets for food for food, can attract many cheap suppliers outside the continent.
The effects of the contract with Mercosur
Wiktor Szmulewicz warned that Excessive inflow of products from Mercosur can lead to difficulties in the sale of goods produced in the European Union. In his opinion, farmers of member states may be forced to rely on compensation systems, which in the long run will lead to a decline in EU agricultural production. He emphasized that the whole world needs food, and everyone wants to get to Europe, because it is paid here, and Europe is a rich part of the world.
