In fresh days, the media reported that Poland could change its position on the free trade agreement with Mercosur. After an interview with the Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski in Radio Poznań, in which he spoke about the conditions of possible agreement, there was speculation that the government was considering changing the approach. The Ministry of Agriculture and agrarian improvement (MRIRW) powerfully denies these reports, stressing that Poland is inactive against the current agreement.
Position of the Ministry of Agriculture and agrarian Development
The authoritative MRIRW communication states: "There is no change of position of the MRIRW and the Government of the Republic of Poland. Poland opposes the current agreement”. Minister Czesław Siekierski explained that the main reason for the opposition is besides much beginning the EU marketplace to Mercosur goods, which could jeopardise the competitiveness of European farmers.
The Minister besides stressed that possible compensations, whose details stay unknown, are not adequate to change Poland's position. "The agreement should take account of the threat from Ukraine, but we cannot let the agricultural marketplace to be destabilised in the EU" “Axierski added.
What is the EU-Mercosur Agreement?
Mercosur, or the confederate Common Market, is an economical bloc that brings together countries in South America specified as Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Negotiations have been ongoing for years on the signing of a free trade area agreement with the European Union. The agreement assumes a simplification in customs duties and facilitate access to the Union marketplace for Mercosur goods.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, late announced that the negotiations had been concluded. "We have completed negotiations on the EU-Mercosur agreement. It's the beginning of a fresh story. Now I look forward to discussing this with EU countries" – she wrote on social media.
Opposition by Poland and France
Poland and France are among the main opponents of signing the agreement. The concerns of both countries relate primarily to the negative impact on European agriculture. According to experts, beginning the marketplace to inexpensive goods from Mercosur could lead to a fall in the prices of agricultural products in the EU, which would in turn jeopardise the financial stableness of European farmers.
Interestingly, the German paper “FAZ” reported that Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, could agree to the agreement, but only after the presidential election. However, both Poland and France do not have adequate votes to block the agreement themselves.
Summary
The Ministry of Agriculture and agrarian improvement clearly denies reports of a change in Poland's position on the Mercosur agreement. The government remains opposed to the agreement in its present form, arguing that the over-opening of the Union marketplace to South American goods poses a threat to European agriculture.
In the face of the forthcoming agreement decision, Poland and France will most likely search to negociate additional safeguards for farmers. However, without a majority vote in the EU, their impact on the final form of the agreement may be limited.
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In fresh days, the media reported that Poland could change its position on the free trade agreement with Mercosur. After an interview with the Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski in
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Siekierski denies media reports on the revision of the EU-Mercosur agreement
