The planned Mercosur agreement represents a huge problem for agriculture and is “a slap in the face” for local farmers. The vice-president of the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Austria, Lorenz Mayr, firmly rejects the trade agreement that was agreed after decades. “But if that happens, there will be an urgent need to introduce origin labeling in all areas.”
The economic situation in Austria and Europe is very tense. The treaty with four Latin American countries should give a boost to the struggling European economy. In the future, a large number of goods will be traded duty-free, including cars, machinery, textiles, spirits and wine. In return, South Americans could import beef or sugar at a reduced rate.
“I think it is completely the wrong approach that we are also giving up other sectors of the economy here. If we close sugar factories, if we close slaughterhouses, for example to support the car industry accordingly,” says Mayr in the live talk of krone.tv. “An overall devastating mistake for the entire business location.”
“Agriculture is being pushed into the background”
The pact would bring an additional 99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of poultry meat and 180,000 tons of sugar to Europe. “At best with ships carrying heavy oil. That also means a huge impact on the environment,” says Mayr. The entire agricultural sector is being pushed into the background. But this would also put pressure on the areas upstream and downstream of agriculture.
“The sword of Damocles, Mercosur, hangs not only over us, but over agriculture, but over the entire food industry,” said the vice-president of the Lower Austria Chamber of Agriculture. But there are also other issues that concern local farmers, such as crop protection. “We have our backs against the wall.” For example, in rapeseed production, 55 percent of the area has decreased over the past ten years because important active ingredients are missing. “It is hardly possible to grow crops in autumn and maintain them in winter, because the first pests are already attacking here – supported by climate change,” Mayr gives an example.
The availability of water during a future-oriented expansion of the infrastructure is also an important topic; More information about this can be found in the interview above.
We explain what Austria is currently dealing with: the latest news conversations with politicians and experts.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
