Ljubljana – Ahead of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement signing on Saturday, the Slovenian Farmers’ Union has urged the government to prohibit the import of products that contain substances banned in the EU. The union expressed concern that Slovenian farmers have not been provided with any national measures to mitigate potential damages arising from this agreement.
The union is advocating for government action to shield Slovenian farmers from unfair competition and adverse effects of the Mercosur agreement, similar to the approach suggested by French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu. He announced that France would implement a decree to temporarily halt the import of products with residues of substances prohibited in the EU, including mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl, and carbendazim, according to a press release from the union on Friday.
“The government and the relevant ministry must safeguard Slovenian farmers and consumers by banning the import of all products listed in the Mercosur agreement that contain substances not permitted in the EU. This ban should be applied at all EU entry points, and any products that violate these regulations should be returned to the exporting nations in South America,” they emphasized.
The union criticized the assurance within the Mercosur agreement that compensation funds would cover damages if Slovenian farmers’ competitive positions worsen, arguing that proving such claims would be a prolonged and challenging process. (16 January)
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