Lithuania is against EU-Mercosur trade deal, says minister
LRT | 31 December 2024
Lithuania is against EU-Mercosur trade deal, says minister
Lithuania should not back the ratification of the free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc, Agriculture Minister Ignas Hofmanas has said.
"The Seimas Committee on Rural Affairs has adopted this decision, and the ministry supports it as well. The European Commission has promised a detailed explanation of the agreement, which we’d like to wait for, but for now, this is our stance," he said on an LRT TV program on Monday.
Earlier in December, the parliamentary committee called on the government to oppose the agreement in the EU Council and join other member states blocking it, citing concerns from Lithuanian farmers about unfair competition.
"Our agricultural sector is especially affected when it comes to meat – poultry and beef. Since we grow most of our agricultural produce and export a significant share, I don’t think this agreement offers us any opportunity," Hofmanas said.
"While it might be an opportunity for some EU countries, I see certain risks in it for us," he added.
Vytenis Tomkus, a former deputy agriculture minister, previously said the agreement could benefit Lithuania economically by boosting exports of agricultural and food products.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian farmers’ organisations see significant risks from Mercosur bloc products gaining access to the EU market. They warn of negative effects on Lithuania’s agricultural sector, environmental goals, and food safety standards.
