EU-Mercosur Agreement, Coreper gives the green light. Federvini: “A strategic opportunity”

The European Union’s Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) has issued a favorable opinion on the adoption of the bilateral safeguard regulation and the continuation of the process leading to the approval of the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. The vote represents a key step toward the formal signing of the deal, expected in the coming days.

The regulatory framework introduces strengthened protection mechanisms for sensitive agricultural products. It allows the European Commission to intervene in case of import imbalances. The safeguard clauses provide for activation thresholds based on volumes and prices. Furthermore, it includes accelerated procedures for certain product categories and constant monitoring of trade flows.

At Italy’s urging, the activation threshold for the safeguard mechanism was reduced from 8% to 5%. This makes European intervention more timely in the event of agricultural product price disruptions. The decision was accompanied by the strengthening of the control system for goods entering the European Union.

According to the Italian Government, lowering the threshold ensures greater protection for farmers. This is particularly important in sectors most exposed to international competition. The principle of reciprocity in trade exchanges is also central. This requires imported products to comply with the same rules applied to European producers, including those regarding food safety and the use of authorized substances.

The Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, emphasized how the agreement has been improved compared to initial versions. Protection tools for the most sensitive agricultural sectors have been introduced. “Regarding Mercosur, we have improved an agreement that brought clear advantages to the Italian industrial and agricultural system. However, it presented critical issues for some sectors,” the minister stated.

Lollobrigida reiterated that products entering the European Union cannot contain residues of substances banned for European farmers. He defined reciprocity as an essential condition for business competitiveness. In this context, the €6.3 billion European fund for mitigating potential market disruptions is also included. Additionally, the elimination of duties on fertilizers was included, including the surcharges provided for by the CBAM regulation.

Federvini also gave a positive assessment. President Giacomo Ponti welcomed the Coreper vote, calling it “a decisive turning point toward the formal adoption of the international agreement.” According to the federation, the safeguard regulation incorporates the demands of European agricultural producers. It introduces strengthened protections through alert thresholds, rapid procedures, and constant monitoring of imports.

“The agreement with Mercosur countries constitutes a strategic opportunity that must be seized,” Ponti stated. He highlighted how the new regulatory framework can consolidate the growth prospects of European supply chains. Indeed, it is particularly relevant in an expanding market like South America.

The Coreper vote confirms the provisional political agreement reached last December between the European Parliament, Council, and Commission. The process is expected to conclude in the coming days with the formal signing of the agreement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paraguay. This will pave the way for subsequent ratification procedures by Member States.