BRUSSELS – The Agriculture Minister announced today that the EU-Mercosur trade agreement is poised for approval, deemed beneficial for all Member States and “an opportunity” for nations like Portugal.
“I believe that the current conditions favor the approval of the Mercosur agreement,” stated José Manuel Fernandes to reporters in Brussels following a meeting of European agriculture ministers.
The minister highlighted that the EU and the four Mercosur countries involved in this agreement (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) collectively represent a market of 720 million individuals and about 25% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“This is extremely important and presents an opportunity for nations like Portugal. We face a deficit of approximately 500 million euros annually with Mercosur, and we will have the potential to boost our exports of wine, olive oil, and cheese,” he emphasized.
José Manuel Fernandes also mentioned that, as part of this trade agreement, Portugal would gain “36 protected designations of origin,” which he regarded as advantageous for both the country and the EU.
When asked if Italy, which opposed the ratification at the end of December, has retracted its objections, the minister refrained from speaking on behalf of other nations but expressed his belief that “the conditions have been established for a majority in favor of the Mercosur agreement.”
Regarding whether France’s proposals to amend the safeguard clause were discussed at this ministerial meeting, José Manuel Fernandes replied: “I do not know if France will alter its stance, regardless of any changes made.”
The minister noted that the agreement includes a safeguard clause that is more robust than any found in other regulations and is “automatically triggered even in terms of investigation.”
“There are many misconceptions regarding Mercosur,” he asserted, citing the 99,000 tonnes of beef from Mercosur that may be exported to the EU at a reduced rate of 7.5%, which he pointed out represents only 1.4% of European production.
“Concerning chicken imports, we are looking at 180,000 tonnes, which amounts to 1.6% of our consumption. Thus, while it presents challenges, it is also a shared challenge that will yield positive outcomes,” he argued, adding that there are “numerous safeguards” protecting the European market, along with resources available, “such as a crisis reserve of 6.3 billion euros for market intervention if needed.”
“I believe the Mercosur agreement is beneficial for everyone, including France,” he concluded.
For the EU-Mercosur trade agreement to be ratified, it must receive approval from a qualified majority of the 27 EU Member States, which must also collectively represent over 65% of the total European population—a requirement that has not yet been met due to opposition from countries like France, Italy, and Poland. (01/07/26)
Leave a Reply