Farmers demand veto of MERCOSUR agreement in front of European Parliament

(Photo: Pixabay)

Following the nearly ten thousand-strong pan-European farmers’ demonstration at the end of last year, European farmers took to the streets again today. This time, instead of Brussels, they demonstrated in Strasbourg, in front of the European Parliament. Thousands again took part in the demonstration organized by French farmers’ organizations and held with the support of Copa-Cogeca, and almost a thousand tractors marched through the streets of Strasbourg. In addition to the approximately 4,000 French farmers, a good number also arrived from other EU member states. The demonstration was also attended by Hungarian farmers and representatives of the National Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) and the Association of Hungarian Farmers’ Circles and Farmers’ Cooperatives (MAGOSZ).

Farmers are increasingly determined to protest against the European Commission’s flawed agricultural policy

While the demonstration in December last year apparently succeeded in postponing the signing of the Mercosur agreement – which represents a huge blow to the entire European agriculture and food industry -, at the beginning of the new year Brussels did not remain idle, exerting significant pressure on the member states and forcing the agreement through the Council of Europe, which was signed on January 17 by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the Commission, with representatives of the South American countries. The agreement would have tragic consequences for farmers, and due to the much lighter regulations than EU standards, products from Mercosur countries would pose a serious food safety risk and endanger the health of consumers. That is why farmers are asking MEPs to reject the agreement.

Farmers are also increasingly vocal in their condemnation of the restructuring of the Common Agricultural Policy, the significant withdrawal of resources

They are demanding a multiannual financial framework that is not only formally but also in practice able to cope with the rapid changes in the market environment, rising production costs and increasingly stringent EU expectations. In addition to market uncertainty and trade policy risks, the lack of legal certainty is also a growing problem in the sector. The agricultural communities are therefore not expecting partial solutions, but a comprehensive, coherent regulatory environment that provides farmers with a clear framework, reduced administration and a predictable future.

NAK