Germany, Italy, Poland… in Europe’s major producer countries, farmers’ organizations are also denouncing the proposed free-trade agreement between the EU and the Latin American countries of Mercosur. But their governments’ response is more nuanced, with France remaining the most vehement in its opposition.

Germany

Germany, reluctant to sign the agreement under Angela Merkel because of deforestation in the Amazon, changed tack under Olaf Scholz, eager to expand its industrial outlets. Today, with the collapse of the coalition government, farmers are in a state of uncertainty. For the German Farmers’ Association (DBV), the main trade union, “it’s urgent to renegotiate”. this agreement.

No official demonstrations are planned, but this should not prevent convergences at the Franco-German border, as at the Franco-Spanish border.

Spain

In Spain, all the major agricultural unions have expressed their fears, particularly for livestock farming. This agreement is “outdated and incoherent”.for the organization Asaja. No mobilization has been announced, but concern over the project was a factor in the farmers’ anger movement earlier this year. However, the government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has come out in favor of the project.

Italy

The large Coldiretti organization has written to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to express the “deep concern” about an agreement that “would have devastating effects on the agri-food sector”.. “We believe that close collaboration with other EU member states, such as France, who share our concerns, can prevent the agreement from being adopted in its current form.”calls the letter.

Netherlands

Leading farmers’ union LTO calls “to stop negotiations”. In the Netherlands, the poultry and sugar sectors would be threatened, explains Klaas Johan Osinga, LTO policy strategy advisor to AFP. “The deal could however be good for the cheese sector, be an opportunity for horticulture, but these are relatively small amounts.”he adds, noting that the four parties in the coalition government are divided on the subject.

Poland

The Ministry of Agriculture has expressed its “serious reservations” about a project that “will perhaps have some benefits for industry, shipping and certain services, at the expense of most segments of agri-food production.”. One of the main agricultural organizations, NSZZ RI Solidarnosc, has called on the head of government, Donald Tusk, to go further and “block” the project.

Austria

The members of the Austrian National Council have passed a resolution against this, as the Ministry of Agriculture points out: “restricting agricultural production in Europe through ever-tighter standards, while at the same time pushing through old-fashioned trade agreements, is not compatible. Austria is an export-oriented country, and we want a level playing field”.. Such duty-free imports “put our agriculture at risk”.sums up the leading agricultural association (Bauernbund).

Ireland

As Ireland’s parliamentary elections at the end of November focus attention, livestock farmers’ representatives (ICSA) protested outside the lower house of parliament.