Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Boycotts Mercosur Products Amid European Trade Dispute

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France has taken a decisive stand by announcing an immediate boycott of all products covered by the Mercosur trade agreement, signed recently by the European Union. This unilateral decision impacts the region’s purchases for school canteens and nursing homes, which amount to an estimated €50 million annually. Laurent Wauquiez, a special advisor to the region and former president, emphasized that no Mercosur meat or products will be served in local canteens, demanding protection for French farmers and local food production models.

This protest stems from the region’s view that the Mercosur agreement is "unjust and unbalanced for French agriculture," and it challenges the treaty’s implications on local producers. The region already maintains a high degree of regional product usage, with approximately 80% of food served in its school restaurants sourced locally to reduce waste and support local producers.

Meanwhile, the Mercosur trade deal—which creates a major free trade zone between the EU and South American countries including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay—continues to face political hurdles. The European Parliament recently rejected a motion of censure against Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, by 390 votes to 165. The motion, initiated by the nationalist Patrioites pour l'Europe and linked to concerns about the Mercosur deal, failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority.

Importantly, the Parliament narrowly voted (334 to 324) to refer the Mercosur agreement to the European Court of Justice (CJUE) to examine its legality and compatibility with EU treaties. François-Xavier Bellamy, a French MEP from the European People's Party, hailed this referral as the true censure against Mercosur, expressing relief on behalf of French farmers opposing the trade deal. Although provisional application of the treaty by the Commission remains possible, this legal review heightens uncertainty about the agreement’s future.

French diplomacy representatives have affirmed a strong stance to protect national agriculture and food sovereignty during these proceedings. German Chancellor Merz also expressed regret over the Parliament’s decision to seek the court review, illustrating the broader European divide on the treaty.