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Trade | 11 June 2021

EU-Mercosur Association Agreement: Governance issues in the EU trade decision making process
Trade
Rule of law

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EU-Mercosur Association Agreement: Governance issues in the EU trade decision making process

Increases in deforestation and carbon emissions, erosion of biodiversity, challenges for the protection of the rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples. From the outset of the negotiations, a variety of serious concerns have been raised about environmental and human rights issues in connection with the future EU-Mercosur trade deal.

This briefing will explore several governance issues related to the negotiations of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. It will also discuss the ratification process required by the agreement’s specific nature, namely unanimity voting at the Council and ratification by national parliaments.

The governance issues that are raised regarding the EU-Mercosur deal show the need for the EU to change the way it conducts its trade policy, in order to meet its legal obligation to “foster sustainable development” and integrate environmental protection.