Members of the European Parliament have approved the introduction of a safeguard clause to the EU–Mercosur free trade agreement, aimed at protecting the European agricultural sector from harmful imports. Slovak MEPs welcomed the move, describing it as a response to long-standing concerns from farmers about unfair competition from countries with weaker regulations. MEP Michal Wiezik noted that the agreement has been negotiated for over 20 years and, while complex, is strategically important. He stressed the need for fair competition, meaning that imports to the EU should meet the same regulatory, environmental, and health standards as European products. Miriam Lexmann supported the safeguard mechanism, emphasizing the importance of strong guarantees for EU farmers if imports threaten their livelihoods or market stability. Ľubica Karvašová described the mechanism as a key tool for a balanced trade policy, allowing the EU to react quickly to sudden import surges. She added that such protections are essential for open markets and do not undermine strategic trade partnerships important for Slovakia and the EU.
Source: TASR
