- The EU has finalized the ratification of the agreement with Mercosur, opening the market to greater imports of agricultural products.
- Farmers in France and Ireland fear price undercutting, especially in the beef sector.
- They point to differences in production costs and standards that may favor importers from outside the EU.
- Agricultural organizations warn of the long-term impact of the agreement on farm incomes.
Opening of the EU market and risk of price pressure
The EU has ratified a long-negotiated trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, which brings together South America’s largest agricultural economies. The agreement provides for the gradual elimination of tariffs and preferential quotas on selected agri-food products, including beef.
According to French and Irish farmers, this means a real threat to local producers. Imports of meat and other foodstuffs produced at lower cost could lead to a fall in farmgate prices in the EU. Farmers stress that with current levels of energy, labour costs and environmental requirements, their margins are already severely squeezed.
Production standards and the response of the agricultural sector
Agricultural producers point out that European farms operate under strict regulations on environmental protection, use of plant protection products and animal welfare. In their view, products imported from Mercosur countries are not always subject to identical standards, creating an uneven playing field in the common market.
Farmers’ organisations in France and Ireland warn that without additional safeguards, the agreement could undermine domestic production and contribute to further market consolidation. Farmers are calling for safeguards to limit the negative effects of trade liberalisation and ensure income stability in the agricultural sector.
