Source: European Parliament
On 6 December 2024, in the margin of the Mercosur Summit in Montevideo, the EU and Mercosur countries reached a political agreement concluding the negotiations of the EU-Mercosur agreement.
The Commission conducted the negotiations based on an authorisation from the Council. The EU focus in the negotiations has been to ensure that the agreement delivers on the EU’s sustainability goals, while respecting the EU’s sensitivities in the agricultural sector.
Throughout the negotiations, the Commission has also been regularly meeting representatives of farmers’ organisations to discuss both opportunities and challenges of the agreement for EU producers.
The EU is the world’s largest exporter of agricultural and food products, and EU farmers largely benefit from trade agreements, with an increasing trade surplus (about EUR 70 billion in 2023).
Mercosur is a highly protected market with real economic potential for increased exports of EU agri-food such as olive oil, malt, some fruit and vegetables, wines, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages and processed foods such as chocolates or biscuits.
Regarding sensitive EU agricultural products, the EU has negotiated limited concessions in the form of tariff rate quotas that represent a small fraction of EU consumption.
These partial openings will be introduced in gradual stages to allow for a smooth transition. They will be coupled with safeguard clauses to protect the EU market in case of serious injury caused by Mercosur imports.
The Commission believes that those mechanisms will safeguard and protect the interests of EU farmers. Still, in case the implementation of the deal would result in market disturbances, the Commission stands ready to support farmers.