Copa Cogeca has warned today against the new free trade deal struck between the EU and the South African Development Community (SADC) which is set to be voted on by European Parliament this week at plenary session.
According to the group, the new deal increases trade concessions on imports of oranges, sugar and ethanol from these countries which will 'undermine EU producers and risk worsening the economic climate'.
“It is totally unacceptable that the EU is making this free trade deal without looking at the EU market impact,' explained secretary-general Pekka Pesonen. 'These new concessions will increase the period until the end of November for allowing imports of oranges from South Africa to come into the EU which will have a negative impact on EU orange producers at the start of the season when prices are the most attractive.
'It will certainly have a bad impact on the sector and put thousands of jobs at risk, especially in the Mediterranean countries where the current economic crisis is being felt the most,' he continued.
'We consequently urge MEPs to call for an impact assessment to be carried out on the agriculture sector and urge them to suspend ratification of the proposed deal when they vote in Strasbourg this week,' Pesonen added.
A letter outlining the group's demands has been sent to MEPs.
