The EU-Mercosur trade agreement leads to environmental destruction, violations of land rights of farmers and Indigenous peoples, and loss of industrial jobs in the Mercosur countries. Additionally, it creates unfair competition for European farmers.
That is according to Handel! Anders, an association of food producers, entrepreneurs, environmental organizations, South American indigenous groups, and Dutch trade unions, including the umbrella union FNV.
This coalition advocates for an alternative agreement to improve political cooperation between the EU and the Mercosur countries. This is the core message of a publication that was presented yesterday at Nieuwspoort. Handel Anders! details the effects of the deal on agriculture and livestock farming, climate and nature, Indigenous peoples, and the economy and employment in the Mercosur countries.
Sara Murawski, co-author of the report: 'The consequences are downright disastrous. For instance, the EU-Mercosur agreement encourages trade in products such as soy, meat, and sugar, which lead to deforestation, environmental destruction, and human rights violations.'
EU countries also suffer from the consequences. The EU-Mercosur agreement exposes European arable farmers and livestock producers to unfair competition due to imports of products produced under (much) lower production standards.
The coalition calls for more European self-sufficiency through market protection and regulation of the EU market in agricultural products. This way, EU farmers receive a fair price for their products and dumping in emerging economies is prevented.
Ultimately, the coalition argues, the EU must completely stop importing products from the Mercosur countries when this leads to environmental destruction, violations of land rights, and greenhouse gas emissions.