Farmers and co-ops fearful of EU trade talks with Latin American trade bloc Mercosur

Farmers and co-ops have warned the European Commission the possible relaunching of free trade talks between Brussels and the Latin American trade bloc Mercosur would have a catastrophic effect on agriculture, especially beef.

Cop and Cogeca, representing European farmers and co-ops, also claimed other ongoing bilateral free trade negotiations could also have an adverse impact on the beef industry.

Jean Pierre Fleury, who is the chairman of the Copa and Cogeca Working Party on Beef and Veal, said there are serious problems on the market and the sector is very fragile.