The label “trade deal” may not sound alarming, but the potential consequences of the EU-Mercosur Agreement are dire. Our team in Brazil is fighting tirelessly against the agreement as it will take a step back in animal protection and a situation that could take decades to rectify.
What is the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement?
“Mercosur” is a group of South American countries that have come together to sign trade agreements, allowing countries to cooperate with each other and promote their commercial and economic relationships. Brazil is one of the most important countries in this group, playing an important role in shaping the group’s decisions and policies.
The EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement is a trade agreement negotiated between the European Union (EU) and a group of South American countries known as the Mercosur. Contract negotiated since the late 1990s. For more than 20 years, Politicians from Mercosur discussed a trade deal with Europe. The agreement aims to simplify trade between Brazil and Europe, making it easier for businesses to exchange goods.
The agreement, signed by member states in June 2019, is currently controversial. One of the main concerns revolves around the potential effects it could have on animals and the environment, with critics suggesting it could lead to harmful consequences. In addition to civil society organisations, a number of EU member states, such as France and Austria, are actively campaigning against the agreement.
The European Parliament has also taken a stance, stating that it will not ratify the deal “as is”. This outcry highlights growing opposition to the deal and the need for further discussion and potential amendments.
Risks of the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement:
The agreement has raised significant concerns about its potential impacts on the environment and human rights, especially in the southern countries participating in the agreement. Experts fear an increase in the number of animals being slaughtered for meat, worsening climate change and human rights violations.
Despite these concerns, the government predicts that the deal could lead to “significant economic benefits” for Brazil, with an estimated increase of nearly $125 billion over 15 years.
When ratified by member states, the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement will be the largest in the world affecting regions that together represent about 25% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product and 780 million people. In Brazil, The Secretariat for Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economy (Secex/ME) estimates that Brazil’s GDP will increase by $87.5 billion over 15 years, reaching $125 billion..
An immediate impact would be an increase in the number of animals raised for meat to meet the needs of the European market. This could lead to more deforestation and land degradation, as industrial farming is one of the main drivers of these problems in Brazil and other South American countries. Currently, cows in Brazil are usually raised on pastures. Trade agreements can lead to an increase in the use of feedlot systemwhich some claim is more “sustainable”.
However, the reason for the devastating deforestation in Brazil is rooted in irresponsibility rather than the current grassland system. And with the rise of animals raised for meat, the land will still be used to grow food, like grain, to feed the animals.
Another concern is the risk of new pandemics. By switching to fattening systems, farmers will switch to keeping animals in cages. Confining animals in confined spaces is a breeding ground for disease, including those that affect humans. To compensate, many of the antibiotics used only lead to antibiotic resistance and increase the likelihood of a new pandemic.
Most new and emerging diseases are of animal origin. This is especially true on factory farms, where animals are crammed in their own feces.
European leaders have passed a ban on excessive detention of animals. But if the Trade Agreement is passed as it is, animals shipped to Europe will be kept in small cages. And if demand for Brazilian meat increases, these conditions will get much worse.
How Animal Equality is supporting animal protection legislation in the EU-Mercosur Agreement:
Animal Equality Brazil and the organizations of the domestic animal protection coalition (including Mercy for Animals, Fórum Nacional of Defense and Animal Protection, Alianima, HSI, Sinergia Animals and World Animal Protection) believe that animals should be protected protected by the adoption of “mirroring provisions”, meaning that the same laws applicable to European countries will apply to Mercosur countries.
The European Parliament should not ratify the Agreement because it will create decades of harm to animal protection in Brazil and the Mercosur countries, which will be very difficult to remedy in the future. On the other hand, this is a unique opportunity for the Agreement to promote a more sustainable food system that is less dependent on animal protein.
Brazil’s CEO, Carla Lettieri
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Animal Equality has sent a letter to the Brazilian government to include animal welfare provisions in the agreement. Our team in Brazil is calling on the leaders involved in the agreement to make positive decisions that benefit the parties that will be directly affected.
By advocating greater participation in the discussion, Animal Equality is working to create a more cohesive community that participates in shaping its own future.
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