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After the ongoing logging of the rainforest, there is now a free trade agreement without climate protection between the EU and South America; has not yet been signed. Experts are outraged by the content.
What the whistleblower said upsets climate activists and politicians: The world’s largest planned free trade zone between the EU and South America apparently gets by without clear rules for violations of ecological requirements. And that’s at a time when Europe has just set itself particularly ambitious CO2 targets with its “Green Deal”, but concerns about further deforestation of the Amazon rainforest have not ended.
Greenpeace published an explosive article on Friday. It is a preliminary version of the Association Agreement between the two trading blocks. The source remained anonymous: the environmentalists assured that the material that was leaked was authentic. They not only speak of an oversight that would hardly be acceptable in terms of climate policy in a final agreement with Mercosur. EU parliamentarians and some EU states also view the treaty with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, which has been negotiated for years, on shaky feet.
In draft: only one index finger raised
The crux of the criticism: The draft does not contain effective guidelines on how parties punish violations of climate protection commitments. “There are no sanction clauses that oblige the EU and Mercosur countries to respect the protection of the climate or the environment,” complains Greenpeace. The text contains calls for the exchange of information and experiences, the fulfillment of national obligations, but no measures to hold participating countries accountable in the event of a violation.
It’s about a lot. After the failure of the TTIP of the transatlantic free trade area, the protectionism promoted by US President Donald Trump and the headwinds in its Ceta agreement with Canada, the EU finally wants to register a success. Trade between Europe and South America must be boosted by reducing customs duties, mutual recognition of the rules and greater facilitation. In the end, businesses and consumers should save billions.
Climate protection: not a “nice to have” thing
The reality is different for critics. The environmental consequences of ever-increasing business growth must not only be contained, but non-compliance with protective measures must be punished. Are more beef or soy exports leading to more slash and burn for pasture? “The agreement would accelerate the destruction of the Amazon, unleash climate chaos and wipe out countless species,” believes Greenpeace’s Jürgen Knirsch. He asks that the text be rejected: “In the 21st century, international agreements must have the protection of man and nature at their core.” That is not a “nice to have” thing.
Selective logging slash and burn of the rainforest: Environmentalists fear an increase in logging (symbol). (Source: imagebroker / imago images)
Weather protection just like a fig leaf? According to the document, the contracting parties “welcome” the Paris Agreement and want its “rapid implementation”. “The global threat posed by climate change” is also recognized, so we have to work together “as much as possible”. But what happens in case of deviations remains open for the moment.
The demand: new negotiations
Many members of the European Parliament had just banned its ratification. Green Anna Cavazzini said: “The situation in the burning Amazon played an important role in the vote.” There must be new negotiations “to fully integrate the Green Pact into the Mercosur Agreement, with sanctionable standards in environmental and human rights matters.”
In other words, you ask the EU Commission. In almost no other area does it have more to say than in the common foreign trade policy. He also represents the EU in the World Trade Organization (WTO), which has also set a green agenda for itself, but recently seemed chronically weak and repeatedly suffered from US bombings.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Trade Commissioner: You have doubts about the deal. (Source: le picorium / imago images)
The Brussels authority has to send the final draft to the EU states for adoption before it reaches parliament. The commission said they wanted to leave the “leaked” version without comment. The new Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, had already shown doubts. Resistance to the Mercosur Agreement had also increased in some national governments.
Doubts and veto the agreement
Chancellor Angela Merkel said that with a view to ongoing deforestation under Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a signature would not be a good sign under the current circumstances. France vetoed it. Austria’s vice chancellor sees the Greenpeace leak as confirmation of his fears “that climate and environmental protection will be left behind in Mercosur.” Furthermore, the interpretation of issues important to parliaments will be debated in internal circles.
Jair Bolsonaro, the Brazilian president: hopes to change the opinion of the EU. (Source: Fotoarena / imago images)
However, there are other critical points. European farmers fear that opening up to South America will flood the EU with cheap produce. By contrast, subsidized agricultural exports from here could also drive southern producers out of the market. The industry wants the deal – it offers the opportunity to enforce climate standards. Former EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan saw it that way too. However, how it can be controlled is a matter of opinion.
A trip to Brazil should change the opinion of the EU
Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourão, also coordinator of the Amazon Council, had said after the rejection of the treaty project by many members of the European Parliament that there was a lot of “noise” in the decision. Everything is a matter of diplomacy. “Let’s take it easy.” He sees environmental concerns as an excuse to reject the deal.
In fact, behind this there are economic interests. “The agricultural lobby and the green parties in Europe are very strong and there are elections in some European countries,” Mourão said. Assume the decision can still be changed. A trip to the Amazon region with European ambassadors in Brazil, which is scheduled for November, will contribute to this.
