Mercosur: European Parliament refers deal to Court of Justice

The European Parliament today adopted a resolution asking the Court of Justice of the EU to verify the compatibility with European law of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the Interim Trade Agreement.

Saskia Bricmont MEP, Greens/EFA Group Member of the International Trade Committee responsible for the file, comments:

"By referring the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU, the European Parliament is reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law. The Court will have to assess the extent to which the rebalancing mechanism allowing Mercosur countries to challenge European legislation that they consider harmful to their exports is compatible with European law and the EU's regulatory autonomy. From our point of view, and as seems to be confirmed by signals from several Mercosur countries already criticising the agricultural safeguard, this mechanism could indeed be used to weaken European standards.

“The Court will need to examine the extent to which the Agreement is compatible with the precautionary principle laid down in the European Treaties, which is a cornerstone of our approach to ensuring a healthy environment and safe food.

“MEPs are asking the Court to rule on the legality of the Commission's decision to split the Agreement into two texts, which has implications in terms of the majority required for the Agreement to be adopted and the involvement of national and even regional parliaments.

The adoption of the resolution will freeze the ratification process in the European Parliament until the Court publishes its ruling.”