Farmers and environmentalists say the referral validates concerns over competitiveness, standards and legality.
On Wednesday, European farmers’ organizations welcomed the European Parliament’s decision to send the free trade agreement between the European Union and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
“The crucial vote by the MEPs validates the legitimate concerns and mobilization of the EU’s agricultural community. The outcome of the vote in the European Parliament on referring the MERCOSUR agreement to the Court of Justice clearly shows how divisive this agreement is,” said the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations–General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (Copa-Cogeca).
The EU-MERCOSUR free trade agreement, approved by a qualified majority on Jan. 9, undermines the competitiveness of the European Union’s agricultural sector because producers in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay are not subject to the same regulations and standards as European producers.
“European farmers and agricultural cooperatives are the first to pay the price of turbulence and geopolitical unrest. Fair and balanced trade, consistent with internal policies, must be a certainty, even in times of uncertainty. Trade policy cannot continue to reward lower standards while European farmers are asked to do more with less,” Copa-Cogeca pointed out.
After the ratification process was effectively halted, farmers are now calling on the European Commission to invest in a sector that lies at the very foundation of the European project. In their view, prioritizing EU producers would boost the bloc’s economy by “contributing to a positive agri-food trade balance” and “supporting rural communities, while providing citizens with safe, nutritious and high-quality food.”
Greens Say Legal Review Is Essential
Greenpeace’s European office said the European Parliament’s backing made clear the “serious doubts” surrounding what it called a “toxic” agreement.
“Given the numerous issues raised by legal experts, a review by the Court of Justice is essential,” said Lis Cunha, a Greenpeace activist.
The environmental organization called on the European Commission and national governments to “respect these concerns” and to wait for the court’s response before moving forward with ratification.
“It would be outrageous if the Commission pushed through unprecedented anti-democratic plans to provisionally apply the trade agreement before Parliament has given its approval,” Greenpeace said.
The European Parliament’s decision to refer the agreement to the Court of Justice to assess its compatibility with EU treaties was approved by a narrow margin: 334 votes in favor, 324 against and 11 abstentions.
The vote effectively freezes progress on the EU-MERCOSUR pact until the judges issue their opinion, a process that typically takes between 18 and 24 months.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
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