A study carried out by Copenhagen Economics on behalf of the EU Commission on the impact of trade agreements on agriculture was published in Brussels today.

It suggest that agriculture in general benefits from trade agreements with little negative impact on production and either grow or replace other third countries as far as imports to the EU are concerned. At the same time, they have enabled EU exports grow to record levels.

Agreement for consideration

Three specific agreements were considered – Mexico, Switzerland and, although not yet fully operational, South Korea. In each of these cases the report suggests that all parties to the agreement are winners.

Commissioners Hogan (Agriculture) and Malmstrom (Trade) welcomed the report.

Commissioner Hogan said: “These three agreements alone have increased EU agri-food exports by more than €1bn and have raised value-added in the agri-food sector by €600m. Just as importantly, this increase in exports has supported thousands of jobs in total across the EU, most of which in the agri-food sector, including in primary agriculture. These figures are clear evidence that ambitious and balanced trade deals work for European food and farming.”

Commissioner Malmstrom added: “Trade deals, done right, are a force for good for our farmers and food producers. This study also gives important input on how we can continue to cut unnecessary red tape and get rid of barriers in our trade negotiations going forward.”

An cumulative impact assessment carried out by the Joint Research Council of the EU late last year also suggested that trade agreements were in general positive, though it highlighted that EU beef production was particularly vulnerable to trade deals that give greater access to the EU markets for external beef producing regions.

Further detail and analysis in the print edition of this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

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