ELO Position Statement on the EU–MERCOSUR Trade Agreement

The European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) represents a broad community of private landowners across Europe. Those are mainly farmers, foresters, and land managers delivering food, fibre, renewable materials, and ecosystem services. As such, ELO approaches the EU– MERCOSUR trade agreement with a balanced and pragmatic perspective that reflects the diversity of our membership and the economic realities in rural Europe. ELO regrets having this discussion at a time when the European Commission is also reviewing the multiannual financial framework and the Common Agricultural Policy. While those instruments could be used to absorb the impact of the Mercosur agreement, they further contribute to the growing number of constraints farmers have to tackle. This is especially the case for professional farmers who must tackle new proposals on capping while their competitiveness is under threat.

Read the full ELO position on MERCOSUR below: