French supermarket chain Carrefour has committed to not selling any meat from Mercosur countries, the company’s CEO Alexandre Bompard has announced.
The agri-business’ commitment to not market any meat from Mercosur countries Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia comes in response to concerns over the trade deal among French farmers.
French farmers took to the streets this week to protest against the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries, which would allow an additional 99,000t of beef enter the EU tariff-free from Mercosur.
In a post on X, translated from French, Bompard said the company’s decision was made in solidarity to the French agricultural sector, and that its commitment is a message to the presidents of agricultural unions in the country.
The Carrefour CEO shared a letter on X this week, translated from French, addressed to the president of farming organisation, FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, who was among the farmers that protested against the Mercosur trade deal this week.
Across the country, there is “dismay and anger” among farmers over the impact the trade deal could have on domestic meat production, including that the meat from Mercosur would not meet its requirements and standards, Bompard said.
In the letter, he said the company hopes to inspire others in the agri-food sector, and called on the out-of-home catering sector, which represents over 30% of meat consumption in France – but 60% of which is imported – to join its commitment.
Mercosur
Meanwhile, an Irish MEP has urged the government to seek legal advice on an apparent attempt to ratify the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement without allowing EU member states the chance to veto its key trade provisions.
Ireland South MEP Michael McNamara has warned the government that the European Commission may attempt to ‘split’ the deal so that the trade aspect does not require approval from member states.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has said it has “deep concern” over reports that the trade agreement could be split, separating out the trade provisions from less pressing aspects.
“We cannot allow a few powerful voices in Brussels to make decisions behind closed doors that will devastate Irish farmers and rural communities for generations to come,” the president of the ICSA, Sean McNamara said.