MEPs and EU states headed for clash over farmer safeguards in Mercosur deal
The European Parliament has confirmed a contentious "reciprocity clause" that could derail the EU-Mercosur trade deal, and member states are expected to push back on it in upcoming negotiations.
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00:00European lawmakers and EU governments are set to negotiate starting Wednesday on how far to go in protecting farmers under the Mercosur Trade Agreement.
00:11On Tuesday, MEPs backed a safeguard clause for the deal, a measure designed to strengthen monitoring of the EU marketing case of a surge in imports from Latin America.
00:22The support for safeguards does not amount to approval of the agreement as a whole. The 27 member states are expected to vote on the full deal this week.
00:31A main point of contention is a reciprocity clause, meaning Mercosur products need to meet the same production standards as within the EU.
00:40The European Parliament approved the clause, however its approval cuts across guarantees already endorsed by member states.
00:47The Mercosur Agreement has opened deep divisions in Europe.
00:52EU farmers argued that the deal could expose them to unfair competition from Latin American imports.
00:57Supporters of the deal, on the other hand, say it would unlock new markets vital for the EU economy.
01:03European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to fly to Brazil to sign the agreement with Mercosur countries,
01:10but the deal can still be blocked by EU member states.
01:17European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
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