France seeks to delay vote on EU-S. America pact

Concern is growing over the future of a proposed trade deal between the European Union and the four-nation South American trade bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, known as Mercosur, after France attempted to have a vote on its approval delayed.

The agreement, which would be the EU's biggest free trade pact, was finalized a year ago following 25 years of negotiations, but has still not been ratified, with the European Parliament due to vote on the issue on Tuesday. Once approved, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would fly to South America to sign it later this week.

It would allow more EU exports, including wines, machinery and vehicles, into the South American market and in turn, its producers would be able to send more of their beef, soybeans, honey, rice and sugar to Europe.

However, farmers across Europe, especially in France, which has a particularly large and politicized agriculture sector, are concerned that these increased imports, especially of meat products, will hurt their business.

The European Commission has already said any amendments to the draft treaty would need approval by the Mercosur countries, but it is believed they are running out of patience and the Financial Times reported that there are suggestions that should France delay the signing, the South American countries may pull out all together.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has said measures proposed by the commission to make the deal more acceptable are "still incomplete", hence the suggestion that signing-off be delayed.

"France can only pronounce itself in a definitive manner on the basis of concrete, precise elements that can be put into action, and not just on the basis of announcements," said a statement from Lecornu's office. "This is why France is asking for the next steps in December to be pushed back, to continue the work and to obtain legitimate protections for our European agriculture."

Opposition voiced

For the deal to be blocked, approval from four of the EU's 27 member states is needed. Poland and Hungary have already spoken up in opposition, and Austria and Ireland are yet to endorse it.

Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee said her country had been "very clear on the concerns that we have had in relation to Mercosur, in particular for our beef farmers", and could side with France.

"We have always said that we will work with like-minded countries on these issues, and we are working through and we are assessing the situation," she said. "At the moment, we don't have a date for a vote."