08.10.202523:30:16UTC+00EU Plans Safeguards for Farmers Under Mercosur Trade Deal

The European Commission has put forward a regulation designed to protect EU farmers in light of the forthcoming Mercosur trade agreement. This initiative would permit the Commission to closely monitor imports of sensitive items such as beef and poultry, and to initiate investigations in instances where a surge of inexpensive South American goods occurs or a decline in domestic prices is observed. The Commission emphasized, "We will prioritize examining situations where there is a significant increase in imports or a reduction in domestic prices, particularly if these are concentrated within one or several member states." This proposal follows the recently announced trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, which still awaits the approval of EU member states and has faced criticism over potential threats to Europe's agricultural sector. According to the plan, an investigation will be initiated if the import prices from Mercosur fall at least 10% below EU prices and if there is a significant annual increase in imports or a drop in prices exceeding 10%. If market disruptions are identified, preferential tariffs may be lifted.