This is a subscriber-only article
"The negotiations are not finished and we are maintaining a very firm position on sensitive agricultural sectors," European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström told the French parliament on Tuesday.
She stressed that products imported into the EU must meet all European standards with or without a trade agreement, and dicussed the example of the recent Brazilian meat scandal. After investigations revealed large-scale fraud in the country, Brazilian authorities co-opereated with the European Commission to shut down some exporters, Commissioner Malmström said.
"The situation is not perfect, but it has improved," she added.
The French red lines on beef are well known and we will respect them
She also agreed with requirements outlined by French President Emmanuel Macron for any Mercosur deal a month ago.
"The French red lines on beef are well known and we will respect them," she said. President Macron insisted on an option to suspend the agreement if beef prices crash and strengthened EU import controls on food safety, social and environmental standards.
Commissioner Malmström minimised the impact of the proposed agreement, saying: "In total, we are opening less than 4% of our beef consumption to trade deals."
She added that any agreement with Mercosur would need to include a commitment to implement the Paris agreement on climate change – a challenge for the Brazilian beef industry associated with deforestation.
The commissioner said that future trade agreements would be more transparent, with proposals for negotiations with Australia and New Zealand already shared with national parliaments in the EU before potential talks begin.
Malmstrom ‘out of her depth’ on Mercosur
SHARING OPTIONS: