The decision passed by a narrow margin — 334 votes in favour and 324 against, with 11 abstentions. Mercosur includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and negotiations on the agreement have been underway for years. Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, called the vote “absolutely irresponsible” and said the court referral was an attempt to slow the process “under the guise of legal review.”
Meanwhile, the European agricultural organisation Copa-Cogeca said the outcome highlights the deep divisions within the EU over the treaty and confirms that farmers’ arguments have convinced a significant share of MEPs. The organisation stressed that trade policy must remain “fair and balanced” and should not encourage imports produced under lower standards than those European farmers are required to meet.
PigUA.info based on pigprogress.net