French MPs in Strasbourg and Paris are intensifying pressure on France to oppose the Mercosur trade deal amid concerns over environmental and agricultural impacts. Negotiations between the EU and Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay – have been ongoing for almost 20 years with the aim of creating a free trade area covering 780 million people and trade worth between €40 and €45 billion annually. However, the deal reached in 2019 was blocked by some EU member states due to a lack of environmental commitments and concerns about the impact on EU agriculture, as it would involve opening up markets to goods like beef, sugar, and poultry from South America.
Despite the opposition, the European Commission continues to push for the agreement, supported by a majority of EU member states eager to access new markets and reduce dependency on China. French farmers and politicians, including President Emmanuel Macron, have raised concerns about the deal’s potential negative effects on biodiversity, forests, and European farmers facing unfair competition from lower environmental and social standards in Mercosur countries. French MPs, led by Pascal Lecamp, have been actively opposing the deal, with resolutions passed in the French National Assembly calling for respect for European production and environmental standards.
French Green MEPs, along with MEPs from other countries, have called for France to build a blocking minority within the EU Council against the Mercosur agreement, highlighting the need to protect biodiversity, forests, farmers, and employees. The agreement includes trade and political components, requiring ratification by national parliaments and the EU, but there are concerns that the trade element could be pushed through without national ratification. French MEPs in the European Parliament are also increasing their opposition to the deal, particularly focusing on strong environmental guarantees.
French Renew MEP Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, representing the agricultural region of Brittany, has been advocating for environmental protections in the Mercosur deal and has successfully convinced colleagues to support amendments opposing the agreement without stringent environmental safeguards. French politicians are concerned about the potential impact on European industries and farmers, stressing the need for compliance with the Paris agreements and protection of European interests. President Macron has voiced his reservations about the deal, emphasizing the importance of a level playing field and protection of European industries.
As negotiations with Mercosur countries continue, there is a sense of urgency to halt the deal before it is finalized. French MPs and MEPs are increasing pressure on the French government to oppose the agreement, citing concerns over environmental consequences and unfair competition for European farmers. The debate over Mercosur has become a contentious issue within French domestic politics, with politicians emphasizing the need to uphold European standards and protect the interests of industries and farmers. Moving forward, the focus remains on ensuring that any trade agreement with Mercosur includes robust environmental safeguards and benefits European economies while maintaining fair competition.
