This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Communication on EU-MERCOSUR'.



All redactions are made under art. 4(1)(b)
Ref. Ares(2018)481743 - 26/01/2018
Ref. Ares(2018)1186223 - 02/03/2018
To: 
GALLINA Sandra (TRADE); 
 (TRADE); 
 
 (TRADE); 
(TRADE) 
Subject: 
Summary, COPA COGECA Praesidia, Mercosur, 21 September 2017 
On 21 September 2017, Sandra Gallina addressed the COPA COGECA Praesidia on the EU-
Mercosur negotiation
 
Martin Pycha (Agricultural Association of the Czech Republic) noted the need for fair rules of 
production to ensure a level playing field as regards environmental and SPS rules. He also 
stressed the need to take account of Brexit. 
 (COPA) argued that it should be possible to make progress without an offer 
on beef. The sector is structurally weak. There is a downward trend in consumption. Moreover, 
it was unfair competition given standards of traceability, respect for the environment and food 
safety in Mercosur. 
Secondo Scanavino, President of Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori (CIA) stressed the need for 
maintaining SPS standards. 
Roberto Monclavo, President of Italy's Confederazione Nazionale Coldiretti (COLDIRETTI) 
argued that this agreement was negative for EU agriculture. Beef was not the only defensive – 
also fruit and vegetables. It is vital that we do not compromise our standards. 
Representatives of the sugar sector urged full exclusion of sugar arguing that Brazilian sugar 
was subsidised and Brazil already exported a large volume of sugar to the EU. 
COM stressed that the EU has many agri-food offensives for which Mercosur is an important 
and as yet highly protected market, including dairy, wine, spirits and processed agricultural 
products. COM is committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers in sensitive sectors. EU 
standards will be upheld by this agreement – they will not be lowered in any FTA. It is important 
that we do not consider our food production and consumption model to be a factor of isolation. 
 
 
DG TRADE, Unit C3 (Latin America) 
European Commission