The EU-Mercosur deal has drawn strong criticism from Polish and other European farmers. They fear cheaper agricultural imports from South America could undercut European producers, who must meet stricter EU production standards.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the government would file a complaint with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) over the agreement.
“Poland will challenge the EU-Mercosur deal before the CJEU,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said during a news conference in the southern city of Kraków, where he attended the opening of a support terminal for Kraków-Balice Airport.
He said Poland had until May 26 to file the complaint.
“We will challenge this agreement. We have time until May 26," Kosiniak-Kamysz said. "I have spoken about this complaint with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski, who will prepare it on the substance."
Polish Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski. Photo: PAP/Szymon Pulcyn
He argued that the deal threatened food security, consumer safety and Poland’s domestic market. He also told reporters that the procedure used to implement the agreement was flawed.
“It cannot be the case that we protect the European market, care for the consumer, our farmers meet the highest production standards, build food security, and follow very restrictive rules, while we allow in goods of unknown origin,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
He added that the move was a response to concerns raised by farmers.
The EU and Mercosur signed the partnership agreement and interim trade agreement on January 17. The deal was backed by a majority of member states, with Poland, France, Ireland, Hungary and Austria opposed.
The European Parliament has already asked the CJEU to examine whether the agreement complies with EU treaties.
In mid-March, the lower house of Poland’s parliament adopted a resolution calling on the government to file its own complaint.
The trade part of the agreement is due to apply provisionally from May 1 with Mercosur countries that have completed ratification. It could allow limited quantities of products such as beef, poultry, sugar, dairy and ethanol to enter the EU under more favourable tariff rates.
In return, Mercosur countries will lower tariffs on European industrial goods, including cars.
A safeguard clause is also due to take effect on May 1. It is intended to allow the EU to react if imports from Mercosur cause sharp price falls for European producers.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP