EU-Mercosur ‘stop everything’, farmers start to bring tractors back to Brussels

Italian farmers in Brussels to protest the ratification of the EU-Mercosur deal

In mid-October, farmers from various Italian regions gathered in Brussels to protest against the possible ratification of the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, the South American trade bloc that includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

The farmers are worried that the deal will lead to an increase in imports of agricultural products from South America, which could hurt European farmers. They argue that South American farmers can produce food more cheaply than European farmers, due to lower labor costs and environmental standards.

The EU-Mercosur trade deal has been in the works for over 20 years. It was finally agreed upon in June 2019, but it has not yet been ratified by all of the EU member states.

The European Parliament is expected to vote on the deal in early 2023. If the Parliament approves the deal, it will then need to be ratified by the EU member states.

Italian farmers concerned about impact of EU-Mercosur deal

Italian farmers are particularly concerned about the impact of the EU-Mercosur deal on their livelihoods. They argue that the deal will lead to an increase in imports of beef, poultry, and soybeans from South America, which could hurt Italian farmers.

Italian farmers are also concerned about the environmental impact of the deal. They argue that the deal will lead to an increase in deforestation in South America, as farmers clear land to produce more food for export to Europe.

The Italian government has expressed support for the farmers’ concerns. In October 2022, the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Stefano Patuanelli, said that the government would not support the ratification of the EU-Mercosur deal in its current form.

Future of EU-Mercosur deal uncertain

The future of the EU-Mercosur deal is uncertain. The European Parliament is expected to vote on the deal in early 2023, but it is unclear whether the deal will be approved.

If the Parliament does not approve the deal, it will be dead. However, if the Parliament does approve the deal, it will then need to be ratified by the EU member states.

It is unclear whether all of the EU member states will ratify the deal. Some countries, such as France and Ireland, have expressed concerns about the deal.

The EU-Mercosur deal is a complex issue with many different perspectives. It is important to consider all of the different viewpoints before forming an opinion on the deal.