Today the EU and Chile reached a political agreement on the modernisation of their 20-year-old association agreement. Copa and Cogeca acknowledge the furthering of the trading relationship but remain wary due to the wider cumulative impact of the overall EU trade policy.
With many big and small concessions to our trade partners on the same sensitive sectors trade deal after trade deal, EU farmers and agri-cooperatives remain vigilant of the further impact of EU’s trade policy on the sector and its coherency with EU’s Green Deal objectives.
Copa and Cogeca support fair, balanced and transparent international trade. From a farming point of view, any trade agreement must be balanced within the agricultural chapter, cover the entire agri-food chain, tackle sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) issues, avoid market disturbance, and take in account the cumulative impact, while also leading to concrete market access to the EU. Furthermore, with the additional sustainability requirements being placed on our farmers and agri-cooperatives with EU’s Green Deal agenda, a certain reciprocity of norms is expected.
In the case of the modernisation of the agreement with Chile, we welcome the positive transversal reinforcements introduced, such as the progress on the recognition of GIs, new provisions on SPS matters, additional liberalisation for some key EU agri export sectors, as well as the introduction of the Chapter on Sustainable Food Systems.
However, concerns remain in those sensitive sectors where concession have been made. Even with the elimination of the growth rate factor there is a potentially worrying impact for the sectors of beef, sheep and pig meat, poultry and ethanol. Commission must carefully follow the developments in these sectors and the cumulative impacts of all the trade concessions that impact them in the context of the EU trade policy in the long term, while also being consistent with its own sustainability standards regarding both EU and third countries’ productions.
In addition, regarding fruit and vegetables, once more the principle of reciprocity has not been fully observed. With EU granting concessions on garlic, fruit preparations and apple juice, Copa and Cogeca expect that the EU has obtained significant progress in terms of SPS, that would facilitate access to Chilean market.
Copa and Cogeca hope that this modernised agreement will provide a comprehensive framework for EU-Chile relations, fit for purpose for the new geostrategic environment and in line with EU’s sustainability ambitions.
Artigo publicado originalmente em Copa Cogeca.