Nicosia, Cyprus. Local farmers protested on Saturday outside the European Union House in Nicosia against the EU’s Mercosur deal. Protesters submitted a resolution addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Resolution submitted to von der Leyen
During the demonstration, farmers presented a resolution co-signed by agricultural, environmental and student organisations, as well as farming unions. The resolution calls for the immediate reconsideration of the EU’s decision and for additional measures to protect European agriculture.
Concerns over halloumi and EU food imports
Farmers said that while the agreement includes some regulations intended to safeguard products with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), there were no such regulations for halloumi, one of Cyprus’ top three export products and a PDO product. They said a self-sufficient EU could not rely on food imports from third countries and warned the deal could have “serious consequences for the fundamental rights of citizens, especially the most vulnerable groups.”
Impact on small farms and consumers
Protesters said Mercosur primarily favours larger EU countries with sizable industries by enabling exports of industrial goods and technology, while harming small and medium-sized agricultural and livestock farms and European consumers. They said claims that the trade agreement would benefit local consumers were misleading, arguing that intermediaries, supermarkets and trading monopolies would benefit most from the abolition of tariffs.
Resolution to be delivered to president and political reaction
Farmers said the same resolution would be handed to President Nikos Christodoulides in the coming days. On Wednesday, Akel MEP Giorgos Georgiou said the Mercosur deal “hangs like a sword of Damocles over the heads of farmers” and that safeguards approved by the European Parliament were insufficient to protect Cyprus’ agricultural sector and European producers more broadly.
What impact do you think the Mercosur deal could have on Cyprus’ farmers and consumers?
