MEPs endorse safeguards for EU agriculture in Mercosur deal
Process in Brief
The International Trade Committee adopted a draft regulation, voted with 27 in favour, 8 against and 7 abstentions, that sets out how the EU can temporarily suspend tariff preferences for agricultural imports from Mercosur countries. The committee approved amendments including a lower threshold to trigger investigations, shorter investigation timelines and an option for safeguards to take the form of reciprocity on production standards.
What Is at Stake
The rules target sensitive agricultural products such as poultry and beef and would require the Commission to open an investigation when imports rise by 5% on a three-year average compared with the originally proposed 10% per year, and to complete investigations more quickly. Safeguards could suspend tariff preferences or require Mercosur partners to apply EU production standards, affecting trade with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Timeline
Parliament’s plenary will adopt its negotiating mandate during the 15-18 December plenary session, after which interinstitutional negotiations with EU governments can start.
Sources
Official Documents
- Press release - Mercosur: MEPs endorse rules to protect EU agriculture MEPs adopt a draft regulation to temporarily suspend Mercosur tariff preferences for agricultural imports, set a 5% three-year trigger, shorten investigations, and impose a reciprocity obligation for Mercosur to meet EU production standards.
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