Olivier Leducq denounces unfair competition and underlines that his position has the support of French President Emmanuel Macron to protect agriculture
The statement is part of a context of growing tension, especially after the announcement by the president of the Carrefour group
The CEO of Tereos, an important French company in the sugar and alcohol sector, Olivier Leducq, expressed his opposition to the commercial agreement between European Union and the Mercosur. It argues that such an agreement could result in “unfair competition” for French agricultural products, as the country’s exports would face difficulties competing with imported products that do not follow the same environmental and social standards.
Leducq stressed that his position enjoys the support of French President Emmanuel Macron, who is committed to protecting the national agricultural sector. The chief executive called on France to seek support from other European Union countries to stop the European Commission from imposing the deal, warning that the consequences for the sugar and alcohol sector would be severe. “We ask France to continue to support this position and to mobilize other member states to ensure that this agreement is not imposed by the European Commission. The impacts on the sugar and alcohol sector would be significant. And it is not worth brandishing mirror clauses to guarantee protection: they are inapplicable,” he stated in a publication on LinkdIn.
Tereos, which operates in Brazil under the Guarani brand, stressed that Leducq’s statement aims to promote a deeper debate on regulatory differences that affect competitiveness between trading blocs. He did not question the quality of Brazilian products, but rather the unequal conditions that could affect the market. “The Tereos Group is proud of its global presence and its activities in Brazil, where it has been operating in the vegetable raw materials processing sector for more than 24 years. Over 60% of the country’s total production is exported, supported by rigorous international quality and socio-environmental sustainability certifications,” the company said.
Furthermore, Leducq stressed that his concerns are not limited to a single country, but reflect the disparity between the environmental and social standards of the European Union and those of Mercosur. “It is important to clarify that the concerns expressed in the post do not concern the quality of Brazilian agriculture, but rather the disparity between environmental and social standards between the European Union and Mercosur countries, including Brazil,” the CEO explained in one of the answers.
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His statement is part of a context of growing tension, especially after the announcement by the president of the Group Carrefourwhich decided not to sell Mercosur meat in its stores in France, generating a crisis that led Brazilian packers to suspend deliveries to Carrefour Brasil, one of the Group’s largest businesses in the world.
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Posted by Victor Oliveira
How does political support from leaders like President Macron influence the negotiations surrounding the EU-Mercosur trade agreement?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Olivier Leducq, CEO of Tereos
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Olivier. Thank you for joining us today. You’ve raised important concerns regarding the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Can you elaborate on what you see as the main challenge this agreement poses to French agriculture?
Olivier Leducq: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The core issue with the EU-Mercosur agreement lies in the potential for unfair competition. The French agricultural sector has stringent environmental and social standards, which many imported products from Mercosur do not meet. This puts French farmers and producers at a disadvantage, as they are forced to compete with products that may be cheaper but do not adhere to the same rigorous regulations.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned receiving support from President Macron. How crucial is political backing in this situation?
Olivier Leducq: Political support is vital. President Macron understands the importance of protecting our agricultural sector, and his backing amplifies our position within the European Union. We need to mobilize support from other member states to push back against the imposition of this agreement. It’s not just an economic issue; it’s also about maintaining our standards and values in agriculture.
Time.news Editor: You referenced the idea of “mirror clauses.” Can you explain what these are and why you believe they are ineffective?
Olivier Leducq: Mirror clauses are essentially guarantees that the same standards will apply to imported products as those in the EU. However, in practice, these clauses are often inapplicable and provide a false sense of security. We need real, enforceable regulations, not just lofty ideals. The disparity in competencies and enforcement between various trading blocs makes these mirrors ineffective.
Time.news Editor: You also highlight the regulatory differences between the EU and Mercosur countries. Can you provide examples of these disparities?
Olivier Leducq: Absolutely. For instance, in the EU, there are strict regulations regarding pesticide usage and labor rights. In contrast, Mercosur countries may not have the same protective measures in place, which can lead to cost-cutting and competitive pricing that undermine our local producers. This isn’t about questioning the quality of Brazilian products—it’s about ensuring that all products entering the EU comply with our established standards.
Time.news Editor: Tereos has a significant presence in Brazil. How do you reconcile your company’s operations there with your stance on trade competition?
Olivier Leducq: While Tereos is proud of its operations in Brazil and the export of products that meet international standards, the issue here is about the broader implications of unregulated imports. Our operations are compliant with strict socio-environmental sustainability certifications, but the fear is that a flood of lower-standard products will skew the marketplace and harm not only our business but the entire French agricultural landscape.
Time.news Editor: What do you believe will be the long-term impact on the sugar and alcohol sectors in France if this agreement proceeds as planned?
Olivier Leducq: If this agreement goes through without addressing our concerns, we could see significant downturns in these sectors—job losses, reduced investment, and a decline in the overall quality of our agricultural products. We have to be proactive and create a dialog to find a fair path forward that protects our industry while fostering healthy international trade relationships.
Time.news Editor: Olivier, thank you for your time and insights. It’s clear that navigating international trade agreements requires a delicate balance between competition and maintaining standards. We look forward to seeing how these discussions unfold.
Olivier Leducq: Thank you for having me. I hope we can continue this conversation as we seek solutions that respect both agricultural integrity and fair trade practices.