Why are we writing about this?
The agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay) is intended to establish tariff preferences for certain agricultural products such as beef, poultry, dairy products, sugar and ethanol. In return, markets in South America will open to European industry. They have been sweeping through Poland and other European countries in recent months protests by farmers who point out that the agreement may destroy local agriculture. The final decision on the contract is to be made on Friday, January 9. Three days later, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wants to go to Paraguay to sign the agreement.
What will happen in Brussels today?
The station reports that on Wednesday, EU agriculture ministers will meet with commissioners responsible for this sector to conduct final negotiations on the contract. As an EU diplomat told RMF FM, “this is a key political moment.”
Since the beginning of the talks, guarantees that are intended to protect the EU market against goods produced using pesticides and antibiotics banned in the EU have been controversial. Another issue is security clauses. “The demand will return reduction to 5 percent the threshold for an increase in imports from Mercosur and the threshold for a price decrease in imports from Mercosur, which are the basis for the EC to suspend trade preferences for Mercosur,” reports RMF FM.
What topics will be discussed during the negotiations in Brussels?
When will the final decision on the contract be made?
Which products will be covered by customs preferences in the agreement with Mercosur?
Who wants to go to Paraguay to sign the agreement?
Agriculture ministers are also to discuss the details of border controls announced by the European Commission, audits in Mercosur countries and fertilizers imported from outside EU countries.
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