Brussels – On Monday, Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, expressed enthusiasm over the recent agreement reached between the EU and Mercosur countries, labeling it as “great news.” He reassured European stakeholders who may be wary of the deal, asserting, “We are an agri-food power, and we should embrace trade openness.”
Despite strong opposition from France, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen finalized the trade agreement in Montevideo last Friday, concluding a 25-year negotiation process between the EU and the Mercosur region.
“This agreement is not simply an economic opportunity; it is also a political necessity,” von der Leyen stated during a press event alongside Luis Lacalle Pou, the rotating president of Mercosur and president of Uruguay. Her comments followed a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Mercosur (Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay) and Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.
Spain strongly supports the agreement, as highlighted by Minister Planas, who is attending an EU Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers meeting in Brussels today and tomorrow. This gathering also includes farmers and ranchers who oppose the deal.
“I understand the concerns that exist, but when we look at the quotas implemented for sensitive products, we see that they will not significantly disrupt the community market,” Planas argued, addressing critics, including those from France and Poland, who fear impacts on local agri-livestock producers.
Planas further emphasized that should there be any doubts or concerns from the sector, “safeguard clauses” are in place to address issues within the quotas, similar to those used in 2018 for beef imports from Mercosur.
“Regarding trade agreements, it is essential to maintain a realistic perspective, especially looking toward the future. We are an agri-food power and have no reason to fear trade openness,” Planas affirmed, highlighting the “strategic” advantages that this pact holds for Spain.
He characterized the agreement as “balanced,” pointing out that it offers significant benefits for sectors like wine, olive oil, pork, and citrus fruits, among others.
“There is a lot of mythology surrounding Mercosur,” Planas observed, stressing the importance of progress and indicating that this agreement represents a significant step forward. (December 9)
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