„Mercosur is a new blow to European agriculture - too many European policies are weakening and destroying our farms. Enough! The counterproductive policy of the European Commission must be put to an end“.
This was stated by the MEP elected by „Vazrazhdane“, chairman of the party “Europe of Sovereign Nations” and vice-chairman of the parliamentary group of the same name - Stanislav Stoyanov, from the rostrum in front of the protesting farmers in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Stoyanov, who earlier in January this year already announced that the Bulgarian delegation of “Vazrazhdane”, part of the EUN, would vote against the regulation, today was the only Bulgarian MEP who spoke from the podium and was welcomed by the protesters. Petar Volgin also attended the protest along with Stanislav Stoyanov.
The protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the European Union's trade agreement with Mercosur. Dozens of Bulgarians also attended the protest, as did their colleagues from all over Europe.
According to the protesters, this agreement does not take into account the competitiveness of European farmers compared to those from South America and threatens European agriculture with bankruptcies due to higher costs and green policies in the EU.
„European agriculture must be strong and competitive. We must rethink European policy and make clear commitments to protect the agricultural sector.
You have the support of our parliamentary group.“, Stoyanov said from the podium.
Mercosur is a South American trading bloc, created in 1991, with the aim of economic integration and free trade. Full members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia. According to critics of the EU-Mercosur agreement, the opening of the European market to large quotas for meat, sugar, soy and other agricultural products could lead to the closure of farms in the EU. The agreement is about to be considered and voted on in the European Parliament, with protesting farmers demanding that it be stopped.
“Bulgarian and European agriculture deserve real support, not empty promises. Victory will be ours!”, summed up the MEP from “Vazrazhdane“ Stanislav Stoyanov.