The decision was made by ambassadors of EU member states in Brussels.
According to Płomecka, the procedures are expected to be finalized by the 17th, which will be a formality, and the agreement will then be formally approved. Poland, Austria, France, Ireland, and Hungary voted against it, while Belgium abstained.
Earlier, the ambassadors approved strengthened protection for farmers against losses linked to an influx of cheap food from the four Latin American countries.
EU approves Mercosur deal in principle, despite farmer concerns
The Mercosur deal has sparked strong reactions. It is welcomed by European industries – particularly automotive and chemical – because it reduces trade barriers and lowers tariffs. However, EU farmers, including those in Poland, have expressed concerns about an influx of cheap food from Latin America.
To address these concerns, the European Commission established low export limits. EU countries have now further strengthened protection for farmers. Ambassadors lowered the threshold for triggering so-called safeguard clauses, including the imposition of tariffs.
Such measures will be applied if imports of cheap food from Mercosur rise by 5 percent – not 8 percent as previously proposed – and if prices on the EU market fall by the same amount.
This restores the proposal previously put forward by Polish MEPs Krzysztof Hetman (PSL) and Dariusz Joński (KO). The clauses can be triggered even at the request of a single country, rather than requiring a group of states, as was earlier suggested.
There is also a European Commission declaration regarding production standards. Food that does not meet EU standards – for example, containing pesticides banned in the Union – will not be allowed for import.
Approval of the Mercosur deal means that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be able to travel to Paraguay on Monday (January 12) to sign the trade agreement.
Polish farmers have been protesting against the deal in Warsaw since Friday morning. Earlier, demonstrations took place in other parts of the country.
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Source: IAR/Polish Radio English Service/X/@bplomecka/@ReutersPolitics