Tariff levels in the Mercosur countries of South America are currently almost 50% higher than in the EU. Dutch academic Dr Siemen van Berkum delivered the surprising news in a paper presented to MEPs at an event hosted by Northern Ireland MEP Jim Nicholson in Brussels this week.

Listen to an interview with Dr van Berkum in our podcast below:

The trade-weighted average on agricultural products varied between 11.3% in Uruguay and 12.7% in Paraguay, compared with 8.3% on agricultural products coming into the EU. Brazil and Argentina, who both have the potential to export huge volumes of product, particularly beef, have average tariff weights of 12% and 11.8% respectively. Dr Berkum explained that the EU’s agricultural trade with Mercosur countries was extremely imbalanced, with the EU importing €20bn worth of produce and exporting only €2bn to Mercosur in return.

Cristina Rueda-Catry, a member of Commissioner Phil Hogan’s cabinet, updated attendees regarding both TTIP (US-EU) and Mercosur trade negotiations.

Irish Farmers Journal editor Justin McCarthy was invited to share his thoughts on the potential impact on farmers of a deal giving favourable tariff access to Mercosur countries.

He explained how Irish and EU farmers have to comply with EU production and traceability requirements, using the example of how an Irish suckler farmer has to run his business.

The contrast with Brazil was then outlined, using pictures from an investigation on Brazilian beef carried out a decade ago. Bringing this right up to date was reference to the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) report of October 2014, which noted a series of nonconformances on what overall was considered to be a satisfactory inspection.

One paragraph in particular was highlighted: “At one large holding visited, which included feedlot facilities, the Brazilian food business operator was unable to provide an accurate number for animals that were present on the holding at the time of the [FVO] visit.”

McCarthy concluded: “The economic case against accommodating further reduced-tariff beef from South America is persuasive. Significant failure to achieve the production standards in Europe is conclusive evidence of just how far the Mercosur model still is from the EU in terms of setting the bar for farmers to comply.”

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Full coverage: Mercosur trade negotiations