Poland puts a barrier to Mercosur. Siekierski: There will be no support in its current shape

We will not support Mercosur agreement in its current shape – said Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski during a Monday conference, which was organized after meeting the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Regional Identity of the Federal Republic of Germany Alois Reiner.

By reporting the course, the Siekierski meeting said that Poland and Germany have similar views on the need to change the common agricultural policy, which – as he noted – “should be less burdened with bureaucracy, significantly increasing the production costs and dissatisfaction of farmers.” He added that both countries also agree, for example, in issues of environmental protection or the need to increase the attractiveness of the farmer's profession, so as to encourage young people to take over farms.

He noted, however, that Poland and Germany have a different position on the trade agreement between EU countries and the Mercosur organization, associating South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, parked in December 2024.

“We do not accept such a trade agreement. We want it to be enriched with additional requirements in the field of protective clauses, as well as import amounts that should not be disturbed by the European market,” he said. Protective mechanisms would apply to, among others specific categories of products particularly exposed to the negative effects of liberalization, e.g. eggs or sugar. The EC has already proposed to include a special social fund for farmers in the contract.

The head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture also added that the position of Poland on the trade in agri-food products from Ukraine is similar. He reminded that talks are currently taking place in the European Commission on the support of Ukrainian food exports to third markets. “I think that the European Union must support Ukraine in displacement of these goods to countries that do not produce food,” he pointed out.

In turn, Reiner noted that the agreement with Mercosur, which has been negotiated about 20 years, is to simplify trade between Europe and South America and bring benefits of the entire EU economy.

The final text of the EC agreement is to present to the Member States in July. To reject the contract, you need to create the so -called blocking minority, i.e. a coalition consisting of a minimum of four countries, representing 35 percent. EU population. Poland and France are against the agreement.

Among the countries that expressed their concern because of the contract are: Hungary, Austria, Ireland, Romania, and Italy. (PAP)

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