He Mercosur faces a new obstacle to reaching an agreement with the European Union, after the regional bloc of the old continent admitted that the agricultural crisis may represent “one more obstacle” in the lengthy agreement, a situation that may have its impact on Uruguay.
On this occasion, the one who whitewashed the problem was the head of diplomacy of the European bloc, Josep Borrell, who spoke of evaluating “whether the current crisis of agriculture European Union does not mean another obstacle on this path”, putting on hold the signing of the agreement, which some sectors were excited to finalize next month.
However, Borrell clarified that the decision will be almost exclusively the EU. “Now the ball is in the court of Europe. “We are the ones who have to say if we want it or not,” he said.
During a seminar with European and Latin American legislators at the European Parliament, The leader stated that among the countries of the Mercosur “the willingness to sign the agreement is greater than ever.”
One of the main opponents of the agreement is the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who harshly questioned the initiative. In fact, farmers demonstrated today in that country to ask that the president “clearly say ‘stop’ to the agreement.”
In Uruguay there is concern about “environmental neoprotectionism”
Environmental objections from Europe were the main reason why the agreement was not finalized and months ago the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fishing, Fernando Mattos, who classified this situation as “environmental neoprotectionism.”
“Today, barriers to trade are appearing, such as Green Deal of the European Union”, held Mattos, who considered that the bloc “places environmental restrictions on food exports, which points towards protectionist policies that harm food-producing countries,”
In any case, the leader valued that Uruguay “is very well positioned in relation to the other countries of the Mercosur” in matters of sustainability and recalled that he was the only South American that “increased its forest area and produces sustainably.”
The impact on Uruguayan exports
The call “Green Deal”, that carries forward the European Parliament, can affect the Uruguayan exports of different products, after a year where placements fell due to the drought.
According to reports, this initiative may affect the sales of products such as soy, he cattle beef and derived products, coffee, palm oil, cocoa, chocolate, wood, furniture and rubber.
Source: Ambito
