The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group expresses its disappointment with the Regulation implementing safeguard measures for agricultural products under the EU–Mercosur agreements, which was adopted by the European Parliament today.

ECR Shadow Rapporteur in the International Trade Committee, Francesco Torselli, said:

“The safeguards approved today are better than nothing, but they still do not provide effective protection for European farmers. We support open trade and recognise that an agreement with Mercosur can bring opportunities for Europe, but trade must be fair. Farmers cannot be expected to compete with imports produced under standards that do not match those required in the European Union.”

While the Regulation introduces some improvements compared to the previous framework, the ECR Group underlines that it lacks two essential elements: automatic safeguard triggers in the event of import surges and enforceable reciprocity on production, animal welfare and environmental standards.

Torselli said:

“A trade agreement of this scale can only work if it is firmly anchored in reciprocity. Every rule and every obligation imposed on EU farmers must apply equally to producers exporting to our market. Without automatic and credible safeguards, protection remains theoretical rather than real.”

At a time when Europe’s farmers are already under severe pressure, much of it resulting from flawed EU policy choices, the ECR Group remains convinced that stronger and more credible protection tools are indispensable if EU trade policy is to retain legitimacy and public trust.