Tractors rage again in Brussels to stop talks on EU-Mercosur agreement

Brussels – The climate is heating up again in Brussels. After the Commission’s decision to move ahead with free trade negotiations with Mercosur, farmers are reacting. Wednesday, November 13, a day of protests in Brussels called by FUGEA, the United Federation of Livestock and Farmers, is expected.

FUGEA had already disapproved of the EU executive decision to continue discussions on the agreement with the Mercosur countries, which the Commission hoped to conclude at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18–19.

FUGEA says it is a “crazy idea” championed by European policy that would greatly harm the supply chain. In the Mercosur countries, for the federation, there are significantly lower production and control standards that would constitute elements of unfair competition if the products were brought into the European market.

Commenting on the “schizophrenic inconsistency” of the EU, FUGEA adds in the statement, “The Ue-Mercosur agreement is a danger to our planet and our farmers. It is contrary to the ambitions of the Green Deal and the Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture”. This last point refers to the risks of deforestation in Brazil caused by massive industrial production, to which the EU would indirectly contribute (saying goodbye to the green transition).

The warning in closing, “The European Commission is blowing on the still-hot embers of agricultural anger. To avoid the fire, there is only one solution: stop negotiations on the agreement.”

The fire is likely to flare up again on November 13, with a protest organized by FUGEA in collaboration also with Via Campesina (International Farmers’ Organization). Tractors’ presence is confirmed with the goal of making themselves heard to “stop the negotiations on the EU-Mercosur agreement.” The presence of civil society allies, such as the #StopUe-Mercosur coalition, and speeches by MEPs on the issue, were announced.