Farmers from across Europe gathered on the streets of Brussels today (Wednesday, November 13) to demand an end to the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement.
The European Commission and Mercosur have been engaged in long running discussions since 2020 in relation to the trade deal which the commission has claimed would be “mutually beneficial for both regions”.
The trade deal would make it easier for Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – to export to the EU.
European farmers have repeatedly voiced their fears that the deal would result in an increase in agricultural imports that would threaten their livelihoods and the future of family farms.
Brussels
Today European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC) – which describes itself as the “confederation of unions and organisations of peasant farmers, small and medium-scale farmers, and agricultural workers across Europe” – together with FUGEA, the agricultural union and young farmer organisaton, delivered their “Stop EU-Mercosur” message in Brussels.
ECVC has warned that “despite continuous warnings “the European Commission is trying to “force its neoliberal, competition-based approach on farmers”.
It has also said that “the vision of competitiveness among farmers around the world that is being peddled by the commission does not exist”.
ECVC has also pledged that it will not “accept empty promises” or let the European Commission “abandon farmers” by finalising the proposed trade agreement.
It has previously outlined that farmers would also “never be able to compete” with investment funds and “big agri-business” who they claim would be the real beneficiaries of any trade deal.
FUGEA also cautioned the European Commission and its next commissioners to “make the right choice” in relation to the trade deal.
It said farmers and agricultural representatives from across Europe had one message today and that was “Stop EU-Mercosur”.
Separately farm organisations In Ireland also united to protest against the deal in Dublin earlier this month.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA )and members of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) along with the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) came together to highlight their opposition to the deal outside Leinster House.