A very clear vote. MEPs largely approved the motion for a resolution opposing the approval of the free trade agreement between the Union and South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. 484 voted in favor of this text against only 70 against.
This unanimity, very rare on the French political scene since the dissolution, aims to put pressure on the president of the European Commission. Ursula Von der Leyen assured that the negotiations around Mercosur “were in the final stretch” at the beginning of November.
“A real risk of adoption”
Suffice it to say that the government had every interest in raising its voice to calm the farmers, who were very upset with this text.
“At a time when several of our partners are pressing for the conclusion of an agreement, the risk of its adoption is real,” lamented the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, when opening the debates.
However, it is not a question of “opposing in principle any free trade agreement, since, balanced, they can constitute valuable opportunities in our sectors,” the minister clarified.
A “neoliberal” agreement
In fact, the executive is betting less on the total withdrawal of the treaty with Mercosur than on the opening of new negotiations with the establishment of more protective quotas for the sectors considered threatened in France by this agreement (poultry, beef).
The communists, in the voice of André Chassaigne, denounced “a century-old agreement where the neoliberal myth was still a dream” and called for the total withdrawal of this free trade agreement.
In fact, the agreement with Mercosur would allow the elimination of most customs duties between the European Union and South American countries. Specifically, France could import Argentine poultry at low cost, while Argentina could sell its wine to the European market with few taxes.
Others, like the RN, are concerned about the “health consequences” of such an agreement. Although Brazilian authorities had committed not to export beef raised with hormones to Europe, during an inspection carried out in mid-November, residues dangerous to health were detected.
Towards a confrontation with Brussels
Environmentalists, for their part, point out the catastrophic carbon footprint that such an agreement could cause by accelerating the number of goods exchanged between Europe and South America with the help of planes or container ships.
What action will now be given to this motion for a resolution adopted by MEPs? The issue is open although its adoption does not in any way force the European Commission to back down.
But it could push other countries to follow France in opposing Mercosur and allow Michel Barnier to go into battle.
However, if this strategy fails, France would risk demonetizing itself on the European scene.
Source: BFM TV
