Overview
- Italian support is expected after Rome secured guarantees for farmers and potential extra EU budget resources, according to Bloomberg and sector groups.
- EU agriculture ministers meet on January 7 in Brussels for a special session on safeguards and the Common Agricultural Policy tied to the pact.
- The European Commission said talks have made progress and signaled they are on track for a possible signature soon, according to spokesperson Paula Pinho.
- France announced plans to suspend imports of produce containing residues of substances banned in the EU and to step up checks.
- The Commission says the agreement would cover more than 720 million consumers and could save EU exporters over €4 billion annually by cutting Mercosur tariffs.