Overview
- EU ambassadors are expected to give a green light on Friday after a special agriculture ministers meeting, with a formal signing penciled in for January 12 in Asunción pending final approvals.
- The European Commission has circulated extra concessions and a safeguard mechanism that could be triggered if Mercosur chicken or beef imports significantly depress EU prices.
- France announced a decree to suspend sales of imported produce containing residues of substances banned in the EU, naming mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim.
- The French measure lists potential targets such as avocados, mangoes, guavas, citrus, grapes, apples, melons, cherries, strawberries and potatoes from South America or elsewhere.
- Paris says the decree requires European Commission approval within 10 days, while France and Poland still voice reservations that have not gathered a blocking minority.