Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedEXPLANATORY STATEMENT

AddedArticle 12 a (new)

RemovedThis proposal for a Regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership 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.

AddedAmendment: Article12a / Environment, Health and SPS clause / 1. The Commission shall initiate an investigation and adopt safeguard measures under this Regulation where there is credible evidence that imports benefiting from tariff preferences do not meet equivalent environmental, animal welfare, health, food safety, or labour protection requirements applicable to Union producers. / 2. In the event of a documented risk to human, animal, or plant health, including the use of production methods prohibited in the Union or failure to comply with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, the Commission may immediately suspend imports of the product benefiting from tariff preferences, in accordance with Article 9(3). Measures adopted under this Article shall be necessary and proportionate and shall be subject to review in accordance with Article 12.

RemovedEuropean 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.

AddedArticle 15 a (new): Article15a / Anti-circumvention measures / 1. If the Commission identifies circumvention of safeguard measures through changes in trade routes, including imports from Parties exempted from the safeguard measures, it may extend the scope of the safeguard measures to those imports or adopt other necessary implementing measures. / 2. The Commission shall strengthen customs cooperation with Member States in verifying rules of origin and ensuring full traceability of imports of sensitive products.

RemovedThe 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.

AddedAnnex – paragraph 1 – point 14: 14. Eggs class A and B

RemovedThis 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 is therefore both necessary and strategically important.

AddedAnnex – paragraph 1 – point 15: 15. Eggs products- whole egg powder, yolk egg powder, egg albumins (standard, high whip, high gel)