But they warned that this study fails to give a global assessment since it does not include key Mediterranean products like wine, olive oil, fruit and vegetables or look at the effects of non-tariff barriers to trade.
In an initial reaction, Copa President Martin Merrild said “This study confirms our views that the EU meat sector could be hit hard by some trade deals, unless conservative tariff rate quotes on imports are imposed, especially the one being negotiated with the EU Latin American Trade bloc Mercosur. We believe that a potential deal with Mercosur could hit the EU agriculture sector badly, especially beef”.
“Based on the methodology selected for this study, I believe that the Commission is underestimating the fragile state of the EU pork sector and beef sectors. A deeper analysis which differentiates between carcass cuts and different qualities would be needed in order to develop the right EU meat strategy and maintain the EU’s production potential”, he added.
Cogeca President Thomas Magnusson said “We call for a report to be developed which addresses the key Mediterranean products like wine, olive oil, fruit and vegetables. We believe that Mediterranean products like wine and olive oil can be better addressed in future relations with the Euromed area. Furthermore, the report fails to look at the effects of non-tariff barriers to trade. In the trade talks with the USA, for instance, we believe that there could be major gains if non-tariff barriers to trade and red tape are eliminated. For example, EU dairy producers are confronted with big obstacles when trying to market Grade A milk products in the US. We believe that the business trips organised by EU Agriculture Commissioner Hogan are very strategic in this respect and increase our trade potential. We are already starting to see the fruits of these missions.”.
Wrapping up, Mr Magnusson underlined the need to have a simple, stable and innovative Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the future that works for farmers so that the EU can remain competitive on world markets and produce more to feed a growing world population using less resources.
