News Mercosur
Farmers celebrate success against Mercosur trade deal
European agriculture has achieved a clear victory in the fight against the Mercosur trade agreement, according to Bruno Vincent, chairman of the Belgian General Farmers' Union.
After months of action, consultations, and political pressure, Vincent believes a major breakthrough has been achieved: the entire EU-Mercosur trade agreement will now be submitted to the European Court of Justice for review. This puts the agreement on hold from a legal perspective. The European Commission cannot simply proceed with ratification until the Court has ruled on its legality.
In recent weeks, ABS reinforced its message with actions in Flanders. The farmers' organization describes the actions as playful and sympathetic, deliberately designed to minimize disruption. At symbolic locations like Brucargo Zaventem and the Atomium in Brussels, attention was also drawn to the core of the protest: food is more than just conventional commerce. With actions like filter blockages, farmers wanted to make it clear to citizens and governments that food production is not simply an economic transaction, but a strategic sector that revolves around safety, quality, and fair rules.
Joint effort
The Belgian farmers' association emphasizes that this step would not have been possible without the joint efforts of farmers from across Belgium and Europe. The support and recognition from "the common man in the street" gave the protest additional traction.
ABS President Bruno Vincent reacted proudly to the news, calling it a victory for the entire agricultural sector. "This is an important moment for our agriculture," he stated in a press release. "It shows that farmers have a collective voice that is heard in Europe."
Yet, according to ABS, this isn't the end of the road. On the contrary: the organization intends to keep up the pressure. It continues to mobilize within the sector and with governments, engages citizens, the food industry, retailers, and consumer organizations, and prepares for further action if necessary. Vincent summarizes it succinctly: "It's a moment of triumph, but also the beginning of the real fight: a fight for sustainable, local agriculture, transparency in trade agreements, and a European Union that remains true to its own norms and values."
John Ramaker
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