Hungarian agricultural organizations have voiced strong opposition to what they describe as “unacceptable pressure” from Brussels to fast-track the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, allowing tariff-free imports of South American food products into the European Union.
In a joint statement, the Hungarian Federation of Farmers’ Associations and Cooperatives (MAGOSZ) and the National Chamber of Agricultural Economics (NAK) criticized the European Commission for pushing the deal forward despite what they claim are serious risks to food safety and market stability within the EU.
According to the two advocacy groups, the proposed agreement poses a threat to EU producers, who are already struggling with the adverse effects of low-cost imports from Ukraine. They argue that the Mercosur deal could further undermine European agriculture by allowing imports that do not meet the bloc’s strict production, food safety, and sustainability standards.
The EU continues to tighten regulations for its own agricultural and food industries, yet is now prepared to accept imports produced under far more lenient conditions,” the statement said. “This kind of double standard jeopardizes not only the interests of European producers, but also the right of EU citizens to safe and healthy food.”
The groups also voiced concern over the timing of the proposed agreement, which comes amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a key pillar of the bloc’s farming framework.
MAGOSZ and NAK emphasized that any trade agreement should be based on mutual respect for the interests of agriculture, the food industry, and consumers. They called for a more balanced approach that does not sacrifice European standards and competitiveness in favor of international trade deals.
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Via MTI; Featured image: Pixabay
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