France and Romania Raise Alarm Over EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement's Threat to Agriculture
France and Romania voice significant concerns over the EU-Mercosur agreement's impact on European agriculture and propose stronger CAP measures.
Key Points
- • France and Romania express concerns about the EU-Mercosur agreement's impact on European agriculture.
- • Ministers Genevard and Barbu call for a dedicated budget for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
- • They advocate for a legally binding safeguard clause for agricultural products in the agreement.
- • The ministers emphasize the need for guarantees on health, environmental, and social standards for imported products.
On July 15, 2025, French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Annie Genevard and Romanian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Florin Barbu convened in Brussels to express deep concerns regarding the potential adverse effects of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement on European agriculture. They highlighted that the current structure of the agreement lacks essential protective measures that could safeguard European food sovereignty and rural economies.
The ministers emphasized that the trade deal, if enacted without crucial amendments, could dismantle the stability of European agricultural markets and jeopardize the livelihoods of farmers. They advocated for the establishment of a legally binding safeguard clause specifically for agricultural products, which they believe is vital to protect local interests. Additionally, they insisted on the necessity of ensuring that imported goods comply with stringent health, environmental, and social standards to curtail any unfair competition posed by mercosur imports.
Genevard and Barbu's statements come at a critical time as the European Commission prepares to propose new legislative frameworks. They argued that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) needs to be adequately funded to meet the challenges presented by international agreements like EU-Mercosur. The ministers reiterated their commitment to the CAP's dual-pillar structure designed to bolster both food sovereignty and agricultural resilience, which includes measures aimed at stabilizing markets and supporting farmers' incomes while promoting environmental sustainability and innovation.
Their joint call for a dedicated CAP budget reflects a growing sentiment in France and Romania that agricultural policies must adapt to the evolving global trade landscape while protecting local farmers. They voiced that maintaining a robust, common CAP framework is crucial for sustaining European agricultural success and ensuring the future viability of the rural economy.