The European Parliament will ask the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to examine the content of the free trade agreement with Mercosur countries, signed last week, to determine its compatibility with EU law. The decision, which jeopardizes the agreement after more than 25 years of negotiations, was approved with 334 votes in favor, 324 against, and 11 abstentions, reflecting a deep division within the Eurochamber.
This measure will delay the ratification process for months, awaiting a court decision, and tests the patience of countries like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The Spanish Government regretted the motion but trusts that the court 'will confirm the legal soundness of the treaty, because it does not differ in structure or content from others already approved with third countries'.
“"It is necessary to clarify as soon as possible how the impact of the treaty will be assessed, an aspect that has been overlooked and which is key for food products in Europe."
European farmers, especially in countries like France and Poland, fear the negative effect of Mercosur products entering the European market, produced at lower cost and with less demanding standards. According to sources from the Ministry of Economy, every month of delay in the agreement's entry into force implies significant costs for the Spanish economy, estimated at 4.4 billion euros in non-generated GDP and 3 billion in lost exports.
