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Castilla y León’s food industry is questioning whether the European Union can actually enforce the “mirror clauses” within the Mercosur trade agreement-meaning imported products may not meet the same food safety and quality standards as those required of European producers.
Santiago Miguel, president of Vitartis, a food industry association in Castilla y León, voiced these concerns following a board meeting held at the Grupo Aljomar’s Vera Vieja estate in Retamal de Llerena, Badajoz. “In the current geopolitical context, which generates so much uncertainty,” Miguel stated, “the Mercosur agreement would represent an opportunity for agro-food exports from Castilla y León, but we understand, share, and support the demands of agricultural organizations: it is indeed essential that imported products meet the same quality and food safety standards as those required in the EU, and that they respect the same environmental and health regulations.”
Vitartis believes that both the included safeguards and the so-called “mirror clauses” allow the EU to monitor and demand these standards.However, the association doubts the EU possesses the necessary tools to ensure actual compliance in practice. As a result, Vitartis’ board has agreed to support an agreement reached between the Junta de Castilla y León and agricultural organizations, defending the interests of the region’s agro-food sector.
Trade Imbalance Concerns
If this key hurdle can be overcome-which Vitartis considers essential-the agreement could boost the sector’s growth and reduce the significant trade deficit with Mercosur founding countries
