EC spokesperson: There is no reason to panic when it comes to a contract with Mercosur

There is no reason to panic when it comes to a contract with Mercosur – said Olof Gill spokesman Olof Gill, asked if treatments are underway to convince Poland. According to the EC, after the contract enters into force, Polish producers and farmers will be able to export more.

The European Commission approved a contract with the block of South American countries Mercosur on Wednesday. She proposed that its trade part would be adopted by member states in a vote, in which the consent of 15 Member States will be required, constituting 65 percent. EU population. She announced a safety brake in the event that too many sensitive products began to get to the EU market.

On Thursday, Minister of Agriculture Stefan Krajewski met in Brussels with the Commissioner of Agriculture Christophe Hansen. The day before, Krajewski told PAP that Poland is against the contract with Mercosur and that “this is not the end of the battle so that this contract does not enter (into force) in this shape.”

When asked about this meeting, the EC spokesman said that Brussels was and is in contact with all member countries, including Poland.

– Their fears concerned the possibility of a negative impact on the market in Europe due to the increased market access that we grant Mercosuru countries in the case of products such as beef or poultry, “said Gill. He emphasized that the EC heard these fears and responded to them, announcing the safety brake.

The EC spokesperson argued that this security would apply to each sector in which a sudden or harmful increase in imports will be recorded, which has potentially negative effects, especially for agri-food producers in the EU.

– If something goes wrong, we give a legal guarantee that will allow the use of security against unjustified or harmful impact on the market – assured Gill. He added that the EC proposed an additional increase in the next Union budget to EUR 6.3 billion in the agricultural reserve from which compensation could be paid.

Gill, however, emphasized that the EC is convinced that the security will not have to be used, because the opening of the market to beef or poultry from Mercosuru is small and will be introduced in stages for seven years. – It is very carefully calibrated to guarantee that this is the situation will not occur – said the spokesman for the EC.

The European Commission also argues that Poland may benefit from the contract. As she emphasized, Polish companies and small enterprises will be much easier to operate in Mercosuru countries, and Polish companies will be able to offer their services easier and cheaper. – Polish producers of industrial and food products and farmers will be able to export more – predicts the EC.

The agreement will also introduce protection in the Mercosuru countries of two Polish products with geographical markings: Polish vodka and Żubrówka. This means protection against counterfeiting and the prospect of increasing prices, because protected goods are usually sold two or three times more expensive as premium products.

In 2024, Polish agri -food exports to Mercosuru countries in 2024, while the export of services – EUR 71 million. These were primarily tourist, telecommunications and business services.

From Brussels Magdalena Cedro (PAP)

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