EU Divided: France, Italy Demand Safeguards on Mercosur Trade Deal Amid Farmer Protests

Mercosur Deal Facing Opposition

• 📌 The Mercosur trade deal is facing increased uncertainty, with Italy joining France in requesting a delay to its signing.
• 🌍 If Italy and France are in the 'no' camp, they, along with Hungary and Poland, represent 39% of the EU's population, exceeding the 35% needed for a blocking minority.
• 🗓️ The EU summit this Friday will be crucial in determining the deal's future.

Farmers' Dual Concerns

• 🚜 Protests in Brussels are not solely focused on the Mercosur deal; farmers are also concerned about a proposed cut to the Common Agricultural Policy budget.
• 📉 They fear this cut will lead to the rationalization of the EU's common budget and fragmentation of national agricultural budgets, causing severe impact.

Standards and Reciprocity Issues

• ⚖️ A long-standing demand from European farmers is reciprocity regarding standards in trade deals.
• ⚠️ Farmers highlight the enormous gap between EU standards and those applied in Mercosur countries, particularly concerning pesticides and hormones.
• 🚫 They argue that the deal does not adequately address these divergent standards, and defensive mechanisms are insufficient.
• 🤝 Farmers believe their counterparts in Mercosur countries need to commit to the same environmental and safety standards as those in Europe.