“We cannot betray agriculture in return for advances in other areas,” Siekierski said, claiming that the deal would open the door to a flood of poultry and beef imports from Mercosur members that would displace EU producers from domestic and export markets.

Stand for United with France Against the Pact
Siekierski was accompanied by French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard, who also attacked the trade deal. Both nations voiced concerns over the approach of the European Commission, which they accused of seeking to “force through” the deal without adequate engagement from member states or farmers.

Other EU countries – Hungary, Austria, Ireland, and the Netherlands, as well as Romania and Italy – have similar concerns, Genevard said. It is far from clear, however, whether there will be enough of them to vote against the deal when it is presented for ratification.

Approval Vote Expected This Summer
The EU-Mercosur agreement, which was reached in December, has yet to be approved by the member states. To block it, at least four E.U. countries representing 35% of the bloc’s population have to formally object.

Whereas France’s president Emanuel Macron has suggested upgrading the deal with additional “mirror clauses” to enforce the EU provisions, Christophe Hansen, the agriculture commissioner, ruled it out, saying it would mean the talks would have to start all over. Many in the EU’s agriculture and food sector are looking forward to the new market opportunities, Hansen said.