On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products

(COM(2025)0639 – C100247/2025 – 2025/0322(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2025)0639),

–having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 207(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C100247/2025),

–having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on International Trade (A100000/2025),

1.Adopts its position at first reading, taking over the Commission proposal;

2.Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

3.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

This proposal for a Regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement and the Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products constitutes a key instrument to ensure that trade liberalisation is accompanied by effective protection mechanisms for the Union’s most sensitive agricultural sectors. It strengthens the EU’s ability to react swiftly, proportionately and with legal certainty when imports from Mercosur countries cause, or threaten to cause, serious injury to EU producers.

European farmers have consistently expressed concerns about the potential impact of the agreement on agricultural markets. The safeguard mechanism proposed by the Commission responds adequately to these concerns. It establishes clear procedures, strict timelines, objective criteria and a robust operational framework that together ensure market stability and provide credible protection against sudden disturbances.

The Rapporteur considers that the Commission proposal strikes the appropriate balance between legal certainty, operational effectiveness and proportionality. The mechanism is consistent with established EU practice in other trade agreements and offers a reliable safeguard in a context where the confidence of the agricultural sector is essential for the overall acceptance of the EU-Mercosur Agreement.

Given the technical nature of the Regulation and the importance of ensuring its swift adoption, the Rapporteur has decided not to table amendments. Preserving the text as proposed by the Commission will facilitate rapid progress on an instrument that is essential for safeguarding European agriculture within the framework of the EU-Mercosur Agreement.

This Regulation is not merely a technical exercise. It reflects the Union’s broader commitment to protecting its agricultural production, ensuring market stability, maintaining the competitiveness of its farmers and providing solid guarantees against potential market disruptions arising from trade liberalisation. Its timely adoption, without modifications, is therefore both necessary and strategically important.