The president of France Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will vote against the EU-Mercosur trade deal at an EU Council meeting on Friday.
It comes as the Irish Government confirmed on Thursday morning that it would be voting against the deal at the same meeting. French farmers took to the streets of Paris on Thursday to highlight their opposition to the deal.
Macron has said that France is in favour of international trade, but that the EU-Mercosur agreement is an agreement from another era, negotiated for too long on too old a basis.
The deal has been in the works for 25 years.
He said that while trade diversification is necessary, the economic gain from the EU-Mercosur agreement will be limited for French and European growth.
“It does not justify exposing sensitive agricultural sectors that are essential to our food sovereignty.
France will vote against signing the agreement
“Since the announcement that negotiations would end in December 2024, I have tirelessly campaigned for a fairer agreement to protect our farmers. On this basis, we have achieved concrete progress, which the European Commission must acknowledge,” Macron said.
Emergency brake
The French president said that his country made three requests, which have gone in the right direction for the deal.
These are the safeguard clause, the "emergency brake" on agricultural imports from Mercosur countries in the event of market destabilisation in Europe, alignment on production conditions on pesticides, animal feed, and antibiotic use, and increased sanitary and phytosanitary controls.
He also cited the early access to CAP funds from 2028 and the move to cut import duties on fertiliser imports to offset costs under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Rejection
“Despite these undeniable advances, the observation must be made that there was a unanimous political rejection of the agreement, as clearly shown by the recent debates in the national assembly and the senate.
There was a unanimous political rejection of the agreement
“In this context, France will vote against signing the agreement. The signing of the agreement is not the end of the story.
“I will continue to fight for the full and concrete implementation of the commitments obtained from the European Commission and to protect our farmers.
“At the European level, the priority today remains to accelerate our agenda of protection, competitiveness and investment,” he said.
What next?
EU member states through the permanent representatives committee will vote on the EU-Mercosur trade deal on Friday. It is expected that ambassador Aingeal O'Donoghue will attend the meeting representing Ireland.
Once that vote is taken, the European Parliament will vote on whether to accept or reject the deal paving the way for its ratification or rejection. That vote is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
Read more
How Irish MEPs plan to vote on the EU-Mercosur deal
French farmer protest blocks up Paris
Cracks appearing in coalition stance on Mercosur
Ireland to vote against Mercosur deal
The president of France Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will vote against the EU-Mercosur trade deal at an EU Council meeting on Friday.
It comes as the Irish Government confirmed on Thursday morning that it would be voting against the deal at the same meeting. French farmers took to the streets of Paris on Thursday to highlight their opposition to the deal.
Macron has said that France is in favour of international trade, but that the EU-Mercosur agreement is an agreement from another era, negotiated for too long on too old a basis.
The deal has been in the works for 25 years.
He said that while trade diversification is necessary, the economic gain from the EU-Mercosur agreement will be limited for French and European growth.
“It does not justify exposing sensitive agricultural sectors that are essential to our food sovereignty.
France will vote against signing the agreement
“Since the announcement that negotiations would end in December 2024, I have tirelessly campaigned for a fairer agreement to protect our farmers. On this basis, we have achieved concrete progress, which the European Commission must acknowledge,” Macron said.
Emergency brake
The French president said that his country made three requests, which have gone in the right direction for the deal.
These are the safeguard clause, the "emergency brake" on agricultural imports from Mercosur countries in the event of market destabilisation in Europe, alignment on production conditions on pesticides, animal feed, and antibiotic use, and increased sanitary and phytosanitary controls.
He also cited the early access to CAP funds from 2028 and the move to cut import duties on fertiliser imports to offset costs under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Rejection
“Despite these undeniable advances, the observation must be made that there was a unanimous political rejection of the agreement, as clearly shown by the recent debates in the national assembly and the senate.
There was a unanimous political rejection of the agreement
“In this context, France will vote against signing the agreement. The signing of the agreement is not the end of the story.
“I will continue to fight for the full and concrete implementation of the commitments obtained from the European Commission and to protect our farmers.
“At the European level, the priority today remains to accelerate our agenda of protection, competitiveness and investment,” he said.
What next?
EU member states through the permanent representatives committee will vote on the EU-Mercosur trade deal on Friday. It is expected that ambassador Aingeal O'Donoghue will attend the meeting representing Ireland.
Once that vote is taken, the European Parliament will vote on whether to accept or reject the deal paving the way for its ratification or rejection. That vote is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
Read more
How Irish MEPs plan to vote on the EU-Mercosur deal
French farmer protest blocks up Paris
Cracks appearing in coalition stance on Mercosur
Ireland to vote against Mercosur deal
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