Luis Planas highlights the agreement with Mercosur as "an unprecedented opportunity" for the EU

 

The minister described this agreement as an "unprecedented opportunity" to open new markets, benefiting both regions. Planas also held a bilateral meeting with his Portuguese counterpart. Jose Manuel Ferreira, where they discussed the potential of new genome editing techniques to address the challenges of climate change.

 

During his participation in the forum, held in Lisbon, Luis Planas emphasized that the agreement with Mercosur This represents an opening of trade to a market of 270 million people, which, in his words, "can generate significant benefits for both parties." The minister emphasized the importance of market diversification as a strategy to counter geopolitical instability and protectionist policies.

 

"The world trade "Over the past 30 years, it has contributed to reducing poverty and increasing the size of the middle class in many countries around the world, and has been a very significant factor in reducing hunger and malnutrition," Planas stated, defending the opening of markets as an engine of development.

 

In his presentation, the minister described the agreement EU-Mercosur as “a crossroads between destiny and opportunity that we cannot afford to miss.” He explained that this agreement, the result of years of negotiations, is “strategic, modern, and balanced.” It is strategic because of the access it provides to the largest market the EU has ever reached, and because of the shared vision of rules-based international trade. It is modern because of its commitments in areas such as climate change and labor rights, and balanced because of the mutual concessions, with special protection for the most sensitive European products.

 

Planas highlighted that the European Commission estimates a benefit of €4.000 billion for the EU thanks to the elimination of tariffs. Specifically, the European agri-food sector will see 92% of its tariffs eliminated, benefiting key Spanish products such as olive oil, wine, fruits and vegetables, and pork.

 

"This will mean opening the market to sectors that are very important for Spain, such as olive oil and wine, which currently have very high tariffs, between 14% and 35%, as well as fruits and vegetables and pork," the minister pointed out.

 

In return, the EU will liberalize a similar percentage of agri-food imports from Mercosur, establishing quotas for sensitive products such as beef, sugar, rice, corn, dairy products, and pork and poultry.

 

The minister explained that the tariff reduction will be gradual to avoid market disruptions, and that safeguard clauses are included in case of negative impacts on the European agricultural sector. Planas also recalled that previous agreements with Canada, Korea and Japan proved to be very beneficial for European exports.

 

In addition to the economic benefits, Planas highlighted the agreement's social and sustainability commitments, as well as its quality control and food safety mechanisms. He underlined Spain's role as a bridge between Europe and Latin America, advocating for trade based on equity, sustainability, and respect for standards and values.

 

In his bilateral meeting with Portuguese Minister José Manuel Ferreira, Planas discussed the use of genome editing techniques in agriculture.

 

"The application of these techniques will allow us to have new plant varieties with specific characteristics designed to maintain and increase productivity and adapt plant production to the conditions of climate change," explained Planas.

 

They also discussed cooperation in animal and plant health, highlighting the importance of bilateral collaboration, and the definition of a common position on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.