South America's agricultural sector, a key source of global food, celebrated on Friday as the regional Mercosur bloc and the European Union struck a free trade agreement, though farmers said they wanted to see the small print of the deal.
Tag Archives Mercosur
South American farmers hail Mercosur-EU deal, wary of fine print
EU and South America strike trade deal set to hit pushback in Europe
The European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc struck an agreement on a long-delayed free trade deal on Friday which now faces a tortuous battle for approval in Europe, where there is stiff opposition from France. After negotiations spanning over 20 years, and five years on from an initial deal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her Mercosur counterparts announced an agreement had been reached in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo.
Italy wants changes to EU-Mercosur trade deal’s agriculture sections, minister says
Italy wants changes to agricultural sections of the draft EU-Mercosur trade deal with South American countries, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday.
French farmers back on the streets as Mercosur talks fuel discontent
Farmers will protest across France on Monday as the prospect of a trade deal between European and Mercosur countries sharpens discontent over foreign competition that fuelled a farming crisis earlier this year.
European farmers kick off protests against EU-Mercosur trade deal
European farmers started protests against the EU-Mercosur free trade deal on Wednesday, saying increased South American imports will hurt the European Union's agriculture, and the largest French farm union called for nationwide actions from Monday.
Tractors choke Spanish city streets as farmers protest EU policy
Spain's government, EU distribute additional subsidies, scrap plan to halve pesticide use
Spanish farmers drove tractors through city streets, disrupting traffic on Thursday as they stepped up their protests against soaring costs, bureaucracy and cheap competition from outside the European Union.
Trade pacts, food policy on AAFC’s agenda for 2020-21
Department also plans to back collaborative research between farmers, scientists
Improving international trade and introducing the new food policy highlight Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) plans for the next year. In its 2020-21 departmental plan, which sets priorities for the upcoming year, AAFC says it will “continue to assist the sector to take advantage of market opportunities and maintain or improve access to international markets, […] Read more
Brazil expected to introduce tariff-free wheat import quota from 2020
Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil is expected to introduce a tariff-free wheat import quota of 750,000 tonnes per year starting from 2020, the president of the country’s wheat industry group Abitrigo, Rubens Barbosa, said on Tuesday. Brazil announced the opening of the tariff-free wheat import quota earlier this year in connection with President Jair […] Read more
Trade bloc Mercosur, Canada launch talks for trade deal
Asuncion| Reuters — South American trade bloc Mercosur formally launched discussions for a trade deal with Canada on Friday, in a move officials said would signal an embrace of free trade at a time other countries are moving toward protectionist policies. For Canada, the talks with the group, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, […] Read more
Canada to seek Mercosur trade pact amid NAFTA uncertainty
Ottawa | Reuters — The Canadian government plans to open free trade talks with the four-nation Mercosur trading bloc in South America, an official said on Friday, at a time when the future of NAFTA is facing increasing uncertainty. Canada sends around 75 per cent of its goods exports to the U.S. and is looking […] Read more
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