France warns it wants EU/Mercosur farmers subject to the same “strict” rules

Tuesday, February 15th 2011 - 19:26 UTC

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French Agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire: guardian angel of EU farmers

France warned Tuesday that it is following closely European Union/Mercosur trade talks to ensure that farmers from both blocks are strictly subjected to the same rules.

“If we want a fair trade deal between the EU and Mercosur, this can’t be done turning the back on European farmers; it must be done based on a strict reciprocity of rules so that they are equally implemented on both sides”, warned French Agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire during a meeting with the press at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The EU and Mercosur in May 2010 resumed talks to reach a wide ranging trade and cooperation agreement following years of stagnation precisely because of differences related to agriculture and the services sector, among other issues.

Mercosur is pushing for a greater access for its produce to the European market, but France and several other countries (Ireland, Spain, Poland, etc) highly dependent on agriculture, fear consequences for their farmers.

EU farmers’ unions have been involved in intensive lobbying and aggressive protests to get their position listened.

Last week the EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht during a visit to Paraguay and Uruguay to advance negotiations repeated that the EU was “ready to reach an agreement” with Mercosur, “the moment is right and so is the political will”.

Mercosur and EU negotiators are scheduled to hold a meeting in March and later in Asunción, before the Mercosur summit to be hosted by Paraguay, which currently holds the rotating chair of the South American group.

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay are Mercosur full members, Chile and Bolivia, associate members and Venezuela in the process of incorporation as full member.

Categories: Economy, Politics, International, Mercosur.

Tags: Bruno Le Maire, European Union, France, Karel De Gucht, Mercosur, Uruguay.

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Disclaimer & comment rules

briton
and you ankers worry about the British, its the European Empire you need to watch, already they think they can dictate to you lot as well as us,
if I were you, id stop worrying about the islands and worry about the new threat, [THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK [European I mean ] ?
Feb 15th, 2011 - 09:02 pm 0
I
Brazil and Argentina should walk away from this BS and offer their goods to first come first served. let the EU figure their own problems with someone elses goods. apparently G20 didn't do much for Mexican's when their corn turn into bio-fuels, France should see if Mexico will accept this regulations. there will be no support for regulation unless we see a draft of the proposed regulation.
Feb 15th, 2011 - 09:11 pm 0
xbarilox
@ 2 “France should see if Mexico will accept this regulations. there will be no support for regulation unless we see a draft of the proposed regulation.” since when Mexico is a member of Mercosur? hahaha Mexico will decide what's best for Mexico, this is between Mercosur and EU. Gil!!!
Feb 15th, 2011 - 10:36 pm 0

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