Epiphany Campaign & Trade Association: Joint No to the EU-Mercosur Agreement – 2024-02-26 10:41:07

Cross-industry solidarity against non-transparent free trade agreements at the expense of climate protection, human rights and European agriculture.

Vienna (OTS) – On the occasion of the start of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi today, representatives of the trade association and the Epiphany Action appeal to Federal Minister Kocher to reiterate Austria’s no to the EU-Mercosur agreement. The EU Commission had announced in advance that progress in negotiations regarding the much criticized EU-Mercosur agreement would be announced at the WTO conference from February 26th to 29th.

HV: For free trade, but against non-transparent free trade agreements at the expense of the environment

“We are clearly in favor of free trade, but against non-transparent free trade agreements at the expense of the environment and our regional production. Any reduction in trade barriers requires transparent negotiations so that a realistic impact assessment and public discussion can take place.”says Rainer Willmanaging director of the free and non-partisan trade association. “Especially in the food sector, the EU-Mercosur agreement poses a risk that the domestic market will be flooded with questionable products from South America. The first-class quality of European products must not be undermined under any circumstances.”

As farmers’ protests spread across Europe, the EU Commission is sticking to its plan to conclude the free trade agreement with the Mercosur states Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as soon as possible. One of the central demands of the protesting farmers is to stop the negotiations, as the agreement would lead to unequal competition and put further pressure on farmers in Europe – as we unfortunately already know in many other areas. Criticism of the planned agreement also comes from representatives of civil society who fear not only fatal consequences for domestic agriculture and trade, but also unforeseeable effects on human rights, the environment and the climate.

Survey: 9 out of 10 Austrians reject the EU-Mercosur agreement

The EU-Mercosur agreement is not only rejected by an overwhelming majority of Austrian grocers, but also by 87 percent of the local population. This is the result of a representative online survey (n=1,000 people) that the market research institute Integral carried out in June 2023 on behalf of the SPAR retail chain and the environmental protection organization Greenpeace.

DKA: EU-Mercosur agreement would have negative effects on small-scale production

The agreement would also have massive impacts on human rights, the environment and small-scale production in the Mercosur countries. Increasing export quotas and removing trade restrictions would further boost soy, beef and sugar cane production, thereby adding fuel to the fire of existing land conflicts, putting pressure on rural production systems and leading to further deforestation. In addition, the trade pact would deepen a highly asymmetric trade relationship, in which the South American states are still trapped in the role of raw material exporters.

Luis VenturaSecretary General of CIMI, a Brazilian partner organization of the Epiphany Action that advocates for the rights of indigenous people, has clear words about the EU-Mercosur agreement: “This is a damaging agreement for Brazil as it perpetuates a production model in which Brazil continues to play the role of raw material exporter, driving the exploitation of land and people and increasing violence against indigenous peoples.”

Epiphany campaign & trade association against division of the agreement (splitting)

As the window before the EU elections in which the agreement could be concluded is closing, the risk that the Commission will want to push the agreement forward at all costs is increasing, perhaps even using procedural tricks such as splitting the agreement.

“Instead of trying to push through the EU-Mercosur agreement at all costs, we need a socio-ecological realignment of EU trade policy that meets the needs of our time,” so Teresa MillesiChairwoman of the Epiphany Campaign of the Catholic Youth Group. “A fair and sustainable trade policy should focus on the well-being of people and the environment and contribute to a livable future for everyone instead of endangering it.”so To what finally.

Questions & Contact:

Mag. Gerald Kühberger, MA
Press spokesman
+43 (01) 406 22 36 – 77
gerald.kuehberger@handelsverband.at

Mag. Manuel Friedl
Senior Communications Manager
+43 (01) 406 22 36 – 80
manuel.friedl@handelsverband.at
www.handelsverband.at