UPDATE: The answer from the European Commission to our letter expressing concerns about the Mercosur trade agreement.

To our great satisfaction we received the following reply from the European Commission to our letter. However, we will stay vigilant and see whether consequential action will follow these promising words.

Dr. Godela von Kirchbach and Eva Riemer
European Grandparents for Climate

Dear Dr. von Kirchbach and Mrs Riemer,

Thank you for your letter of 29 June, to which President von der Leyen has asked me to reply.

The impact of climate change is recognised in Europe and in Mercosur countries, and combatting it remains a central priority for the EU. That is why during the negotiation of the agreement with Mercosur the EU side insisted that participation in and respect for the Paris Agreement on climate change be an “essential element” of the agreement. This means that if a party fails to implement the Paris Agreement in good faith the other party can suspend the agreement in whole or in part.

Furthermore, the two sides agreed on a commitment to combat deforestation and to stabilise or increase forest cover from 2030. 

Additional imports of beef under the agreement will be limited under a quota system and amount to less than 1% of Mercosur beef production. In any event EU legislation banning the sale in the EU of commodities produced in recently deforested land will apply from 2026 and would apply to relevant commodities imported under the EU Mercosur agreement.

We therefore believe that the risks to deforestation and climate change are very limited. On the other hand, a deepened and long-term engagement with Mercosur countries has the potential to yield positive environmental as well as economic results as well as increased people-to-people links, which could include organisations such as yours. 

I very much appreciate the concern you express in particular on behalf of your grandchildren. I hope that your members take into account the arguments made here and other factual information in the debate on the EU-Mercosur agreement that is likely to take place in coming months.

Yours sincerely,

                                                                                                               Paolo GARZOTTI
                                                                                                                   Head of Unit