EU Farmers' Fears and the Mercosur Deal

The EU is working to secure agreement from all its member countries on a trade deal with Mercosur, a deal that has been in negotiation for 25 years and is expected to boost exports significantly. However, not all member states are on board yet.

Key Holdouts: Italy and France

Italy and France are the main countries raising objections. Their primary concerns revolve around the potential flooding of cheap beef and sugar into their markets, which could negatively impact local farmers. To address these fears, the EU is proposing additional support for farmers, including a new fund in the next budget.

Upcoming Meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers

A critical meeting is scheduled soon, where all 27 EU agriculture ministers will discuss the deal. The EU aims to demonstrate that it has a solid plan to protect farmers and ensure fair trade conditions.

Safety and Standards: A Top Priority

The EU is also focusing on ensuring that imported food meets EU standards, particularly regarding pesticides and other safety regulations. This is especially important for countries like Italy, which wants to ensure the deal is fair and beneficial for all parties.

Support Needed from 15 Countries

To move forward, the EU needs support from at least 15 member countries. While Germany and Spain are in favor, Poland and Hungary are against the deal, and France remains unconvinced. Italy's decision will be pivotal in determining the outcome.

Final Steps Toward Agreement

If all concerns are addressed successfully, the deal could be signed soon. However, there are still significant hurdles to overcome. The EU is working diligently to ensure that all member states are aligned and that the deal benefits everyone involved.