MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Sarkozy: no support for EU/Mercosur trade deal that cuts farmers’ income
French president Nicholas Sarkozy stressed over the weekend he would not accept an European Union-Mercosur trade agreement that could mean a loss of income for European farmers. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesAs I said in another thread, the protectionist polices of the EU benefit French farmers disproportionately. They were always going to fight this tooth and nail.
May 16th, 2011 - 09:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0The simple solution would be for Mercosur states to bring their farming up to EU standards. However the Common Agricultural Policy will probably stand in the way too. I hope it gets abolished.
May 16th, 2011 - 01:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Mercosur states to bring their farming up to EU standards
May 16th, 2011 - 06:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Only koolaid drinkers still believe that. I, am against farm subsidies that goes against the whole believe of free/fair market priciples. EU standards are total BS. Let's be clear, farm subsidies, a scheme, paid by EU tax payers is designed to rip off poor nations and it only benefits corporations and weak farmers who cannot compete.
With real competition, France for example, would lose that batle. Mr Sarkozy knows that, but it's elections time.
Do any South American nations have subsidies to arable farmers / livestock farmers ?
May 16th, 2011 - 11:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0(I genuinely don't know)
As subsidies are prety widespread, the real argument must be
“My subsidies are bigger than yours, so there !”
“Ya, boo, your subsidies suck !”
. . . . yes, I know. It's been a tireing day.
Actually, the protectionist policies of the EU mainly protect the people of Europe from sub-standard foodstuffs. South American countries regularly use growth hormones and veterinary drugs that are banned in Europe because of dangers to the human foodchain. There is also the small matter of GM soya. That can find its way into animal feed. And we know that some of the chemicals used on GM crops can have adverse effects on humans.
May 17th, 2011 - 06:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Can anyone doubt that none of this stuff should be allowed into Europe without the most stringent precautions?
Do any South American nations have subsidies to arable farmers / livestock farmers ?
May 17th, 2011 - 07:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0No, they can't afford it.
Only Northern Nations have subsidies for Agriculture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_subsidy
Also check out the WTO website.
“Can anyone doubt that none of this stuff should be allowed into Europe without the most stringent precautions?”
Idiot buffoon typhoon the virtual reality pilot, you've read many times here comments with links that Majority of cattle farms in South America are grass feed. There are more GM soya cattle farms in Europe compare to South America. Also, most of the Mad Cow diseases are in the world are in #1, UK, other but bigger compare to South America and Australia are Ireland, France and South Korea.
“GM soya ”a death sentence“ for Argentina” 06 October 2010, Claire Robinson, Latin American Bureaux.
May 17th, 2011 - 10:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.lab.org.uk/index.php/news/57-focus/653-gm-soya-qa-death-sentenceq-for-argentina
The Glyphosate contamination of SA soy imported to the EU for livestock feedstuffs is a major cause for concern.
Argentina is, I am assured, the major source of contamination; but I could be wrong, it may be Brasil, or even Paraguay (I'm finding it really hard to break through the Monsanto 'firewall').
However, the Carrasco research (see article), and his hounding by the agro-chem 'heavies' , when making this public, shows how sensitive the issue is to world trade.
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