France Cites 180,000 Tons of Banned-Pesticide Sugar in Strong Rejection of EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

On November 26, 2024, the French National Assembly held a significant debate on the ongoing negotiations for an association agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, the South American trade bloc. The session was marked by strong statements from Annie Genevard, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, and Sophie Primas, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Citizens Abroad. Both ministers expressed clear opposition to the current terms of the proposed agreement.

Annie Genevard began her address by recalling the long-standing relationship between France and Latin America, emphasizing that this partnership must remain demanding and balanced. She warned that the free trade agreement as currently envisioned by the European Commission posed real risks to French agriculture and food sovereignty. Genevard stated that France and President Emmanuel Macron were fully opposed to the deal in its present form.

Genevard outlined several reasons for this opposition. She argued that while France is a major agricultural exporter and has benefited from trade liberalization in the past, any new agreement must be balanced and protect French interests. She cited unresolved concerns after 25 years of negotiations, particularly regarding economic and health risks. The minister stressed that French farmers should not be treated as bargaining chips in international trade talks and insisted that agriculture must be recognized as a strategic sector.

Genevard pointed to audits conducted since 2017 in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay that revealed systemic weaknesses in their inspection and control systems. She argued that these shortcomings meant products from Mercosur countries could not guarantee compliance with European standards or fair competition for French farmers. She called for “mirror measures,” meaning any standard applied to European products should also apply to imports.

The minister highlighted specific issues such as the potential importation of 180,000 tons of sugar produced with pesticides banned in Europe, or poultry raised with antibiotics used as growth promoters—practices prohibited within the EU. She warned that such imports would undermine food safety, lower prices, reduce farm incomes, and threaten the survival of many agricultural operations.

Genevard also referenced recent protests by farmers across Europe, noting their frustration with what they see as contradictory demands: adapting to climate change while facing competition from imports produced under less stringent rules. She warned against creating a two-tier agriculture system where only some citizens could afford food produced under high standards.

The minister reported that Poland had also decided to vote against the Mercosur agreement, suggesting growing opposition among EU member states. She called for a united front in France’s parliament to send a strong political message to Brussels.

Sophie Primas followed by reaffirming government unity on the issue. She described the agreement as more than a technical matter, saying it would have major consequences for society, local economies, and public trust in Europe. Primas stressed the need for transparency and democratic debate on such important decisions.

Primas echoed Genevard’s concerns about agriculture but added that environmental issues were also at stake. She said it would be incoherent for Europe to impose strict environmental standards on its own producers while allowing imports that do not meet those standards. Primas insisted that any agreement must make respect for the Paris Climate Accord an essential condition, with enforceable provisions and sanctions if necessary.

She reiterated France’s demand for mirror clauses in all trade agreements to ensure reciprocity on standards. Primas clarified that France was not closing itself off from trade but wanted agreements to be fair and protective of national interests.

Both ministers emphasized that their opposition did not mean rejecting relations with Latin America or Mercosur countries. Instead, they argued for a balanced partnership based on shared values and mutual respect.

During questions from deputies, Primas confirmed that France would insist on unanimous approval by EU member states and ratification by national parliaments before any agreement could take effect. She said France was prepared to use all available means—including building blocking minorities or legal challenges—to defend its position.

Genevard concluded by warning that if adopted, the agreement would harm French agriculture most severely by opening EU markets to products made under lower standards. She argued this would betray French farmers’ efforts to provide safe and sustainable food.

The debate ended with calls for a united rejection of the current Mercosur deal in defense of French agriculture and food sovereignty. The outcome of this parliamentary vote is expected to influence both national policy and ongoing negotiations at the European level.