Bad for Europe, dangerous for the planet

Today, the European Commission has announced that it has pushed forward the proposed EU-Mercosur agreement to the Council. The Mercosur deal has been split into a political section and a trade section that will have to be adopted by a qualified majority of Member States. 

Saskia Bricmont MEP, Greens/EFA Member of the Committee on International Trade responsible for the EU-Mercosur file, comments: 

"The Mercosur deal is harmful to people and the planet and to Europe's strategic autonomy. It does not match with the type of trade model we need to pursue to promote and sustainable development with the Mercosur countries and beyond. 

“This deal will neither curb Trump's reckless trade war nor China's aggressive trade practices, and do nothing to increase European influence in the region. This is a deal that will only benefit a minority of players, mostly from the giant agribusiness, automotive and chemical industries. 

“Despite a long list of commitments, the provisions on sustainability are little more than empty promises that will likely never be met. The agro-industrial model has been strengthened at the expense of sustainable agriculture and the rights of indigenous peoples in the Mercosur countries. The increase in agricultural exports from the Mercosur bloc will accelerate deforestation, while creating unfair competition for European farmers and increasing the use of toxic pesticides for Mercosur farmers and European consumers. 

“This treaty is incompatible with European climate targets and international environmental commitments. Our group will seek a ruling on this point from the Court of Justice of the EU.”