Source: European Parliament
The EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) protects 344 EU geographical indications (GIs), including the term ‘Pruneaux d’Agen’, in the four Mercosur countries.
The Commission can confirm that the level of protection for these EU GIs under the EMPA is comparable to the high level of protection in the EU.
During a transition period of 10 years following the entry into force of the EMPA, specific rules would apply for terms ‘D’Agen’ or ‘Ciruela D’Agen’.
In this framework, only legitimate prior users may use these terms in the Mercosur countries if accompanied by clear indication of the geographical origin to avoid any confusion with the placing on the market of ‘Pruneaux d’Agen’ produced in France.
There is no evidence based on available impact studies of the EMPA that agriculture in the EU or in France would be affected by massive imports of agricultural products from South America.
The EU’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards fully apply to imported products, which must always comply with the EU’s stringent food safety requirements including maximum residue limits for pesticides. This applies regardless of trade agreements with third countries, including Mercosur.
As outlined in the Commission’s Communication ‘A Vision for Agriculture and Food’ of 19 February 2025[1], the EU will strive toward fairer global level playing field for agriculture.
The Commission will pursue, in line with international rules, a stronger alignment of production standards applied to imported products, including on pesticides.
- [1] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — A vision for Agriculture and Food. Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations, COM/2025/75 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0075.