Berlin, 9 January: In an unprecedented process, a qualified majority of EU member states today approved the controversial trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur. Never before in European trade history has a trade agreement been adopted in the EU Council without the consent of such large countries as France or Poland. This approach is likely to further promote anti-European resentment, especially since it is a highly controversial agreement. For 25 years, it has been met with resistance from civil society groups, farmers' associations and trade unions.
The German network Just World Trade and its member organisations condemn the disregard for the widespread criticism and concern about the impact of the agreement on farming, the health of consumers and producers, workers, nature and the climate.
Ludwig Essig, Network Coordinator:
"With the approval of this toxic trade agreement, European leaders have chosen to prioritise the interests of large companies, even if they endanger the livelihoods of workers and farms on both sides of the Atlantic, violate the rights of indigenous people, poison people through the use of pesticides and destroy nature."
The vote in the EU Council follows an exceptionally fast and confusing procedure, with numerous procedural exceptions made after the European Commission bypassed national parliaments and the European Parliament. In a decision last night, the Cyprus Presidency also decided not to make a provisional application of the trade agreement conditional on a vote in the European Parliament. The approval of the EU Council and ratification in a Mercosur country are therefore sufficient to put the trade part into effect.
Bettina Müller, Commercial Officer at PowerShift:
“The European Commission is playing a game with China and the US for imperial supremacy in global trade, where neither workers nor consumers have anything to gain. In doing so, it goes so far as to undermine even basic democratic principles such as a vote in the European Parliament. And that's with a trade deal as controversial as the one with Mercosur. This is oil in the fire of the Eurosceptics and should not remain inconsequential.
Hanni Gramann, trade expert at Attac, adds:
“The non-transparent way in which this agreement has been reached poses a serious threat to the democratic participation of the population and even national parliaments in important economic policy decisions. Nor are the proposed ‘protective measures’ for agriculture sufficient to prevent damage to small farms; they are already under strong pressure due to existing free trade agreements.”
Previous studies have shown that the EU-Mercosur agreement will lead to the loss of 120,000 jobs in Europe, drastically increase greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, and weaken the rights of indigenous people and workers. It cannot be a solution to today's climate crisis, recession or geopolitical tensions.
Jan Königshausen, Advisor for Indigenous Peoples at the Society for Threatened Peoples: "By prioritising market access over human rights, the EU-Mercosur agreement risks deteriorating the situation of indigenous peoples and marginalised communities in South America. It exposes environmental degradation, social conflict and violence to those who have contributed least to these crises, while at the same time providing them with little protection or voice.”
For more information, please contact:
Ludwig vinegar
Coordinator Network of Fair World Trade
Mail: essig@forumue.de
Bettina Müller
Trade and Investment Policy Officer at PowerShift e.V.
Tel: 0174 4537604
Mail: bettina.mueller@power-shift.de
Hanni Gramann
Attac trade expert
Tel: 017630608762
Mail: hanni.gramann@attac.de
