Resistance to Mercosur: Farmers fear for their existence!

Resistance to Mercosur: Farmers fear for their existence!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - The debate about the controversial free trade agreement with Brazil, known as Mercosur, picks up speed again. According to Max Linder's Freedom National Council MP, especially in France and Poland, there is violent resistance to the agreement that contradicts the will of many farmers. The farmer Linder warned that the domestic cattle and poultry farmers could be endangered by opening the market. "The knee in front of the EU has won the ÖVP upper hand," said Linder critically and made it clear that the intergovernmental agreements could be fatal for local agriculture.

In addition, concerns about the conditions under which agricultural products are produced and exported in South America grew, including the use of medication that is not approved in Europe. "Healthy and sustainable food production looks different," Linder was quoted. Therefore, it is essential to put the protection of local farmers and their businesses in the first place in order to ensure economic stability in Austria. These concerns also find international echoes because current geopolitics raises extensive questions about the global trade structure.

global trade dynamics and challenges

like the Federal Center for Political Education , international trade policy has changed significantly in recent years. Free trade agreements are not only economic instruments, but also play an important role in foreign and security policy. In view of tensions between the USA and China, there is a fragmentation of world trade, in which many emerging countries, including Brazil, are trying to find their own way. The conversations about the Mercosur Agreement are part of this complex trade landscape in which different countries try to maintain their interests and at the same time live up to international standards.

The example of Mercosur shows how direct economic interests can be conflict with political and ecological considerations. While the EU is interested in access to important raw materials through the EU, the concerns of the South Americans and the environmental requirements are in resistance. The path for the ultimate agreement is still essential, since the pressure on everyone involved grows to respond to the fear of the public.