Question for written answer P-005798-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Angélique Delahaye (PPE) , Brice Hortefeux (PPE) , Jérôme Lavrilleux (PPE) , Alain Lamassoure (PPE) , Rachida Dati (PPE) , Nadine Morano (PPE) , Françoise Grossetête (PPE)

In the context of the current trade negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur, European agricultural interests are mainly defensive in nature. In a context of a 20% drop in consumption over the past 10 years, the European beef sector is particularly sensitive. The impact of opening up trade with Mercosur could prove catastrophic.

On 21 July, the French, Irish, Spanish, Polish and Italian beef and veal sectors jointly requested Mr Juncker, President of the Commission, to exclude beef and veal as extremely sensitive products from any trade agreement reached between the Union and Mercosur.

In view of the forthcoming round of negotiations in Brasilia from 2 to 6 October, it appears that the Commission is planning to propose tariff concessions on beef to Mercosur. Unfortunately, the European Parliament does not have any facts at its disposal on the state of the negotiations.

1. Can the Commission confirm this information and provide figures for these possible proposals for beef tariff quotas?

2. In the light of its November 2016 study on the cumulative effect of trade negotiations on European agriculture, can the Commission provide any information it has on the consequences of the opening of tariff quotas for beef with Mercosur?