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PR_COD_1amCom

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* Consultation procedure

*** Consent procedure

***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading)

***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading)

***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading)

(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)

Amendments to a draft act

Amendments by Parliament set out in two columns

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Amendments by Parliament in the form of a consolidated text

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DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products

(COM(2025)0639 – C100247/2025 – 2025/0322(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2025)0639),

– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 207(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C100247/2025),

– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on International Trade (A10-0254/2025),

1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(12) The close monitoring of any sensitive products should facilitate timely decisions concerning the possible initiation of investigations and the subsequent imposition of safeguard measures. Therefore, the Commission should regularly monitor imports of any sensitive products from the date of entry into force of the ITA or the EMPA. Monitoring should be extended to other products or sectors if the relevant Union industry makes a duly justified request to the Commission.

(12) The close monitoring of any sensitive products should facilitate timely decisions concerning the possible initiation of investigations and the subsequent imposition of safeguard measures. Therefore, the Commission should constantly and proactively monitor imports of any sensitive products from the date of entry into force of the ITA or the EMPA. Monitoring should be extended to other products or sectors if the relevant Union industry makes a duly justified request to the Commission. The Commission should present a monitoring report every three months, containing its assessment of the impact of imports of sensitive products benefitting from preferential market access under the Agreement, including data on import volumes and prices for all sensitive products, with appropriate regional disaggregation.

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(c a) the introduction of a reciprocity obligation regarding products and production standards

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the Union market of sensitive products, in particular as regards import and export trends, production and price developments. For that purpose, the Commission shall cooperate and exchange data with Member States and the Union industry on a regular basis.

1. The Commission shall constantly and proactively monitor the Union market of sensitive products, in particular as regards import and export trends, production and price developments, with the support of the Union market observatories established by Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council1. For that purpose, the Commission shall cooperate and exchange data with Member States, the European Parliament and the Union industry on a regular basis.

1 Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1308/oj).

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2 a. Upon a duly justified request by the Union industry concerned, the Commission may extend the scope of the monitoring referred to in paragraph 1 to any products or sectors other than those referred to in the Annex.

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 2 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2 b. Cooperation and exchange of data shall be carried out both vertically, between the Commission and the Member States, and horizontally, between the Member States.

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 2 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2c. By 1 March 2026, the Commission shall develop and make available to Member States technical guidelines on the indicators, parameters and types of data that can be monitored in markets at national and local level.

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. The Commission shall present a monitoring report to the European Parliament and to the Council every six months containing its assessment of the impact of imports of sensitive products benefitting from preferential market access under the agreement. Such reports shall cover the Union market and, if relevant, also cover the situation in one or several Member States.

3. The Commission shall present a monitoring report to the European Parliament and to the Council every three months containing its assessment of the impact of imports of sensitive products benefitting from preferential market access under the Agreement. That report shall cover the Union market and, if relevant, also cover the specific situation in one or several Member States.

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. The Commission shall treat, in the absence of contrary indications, an increase in volume of more than 10% year-on-year, as a rule, of the imports under preferential terms of a given product from a country concerned as prima facie evidence of serious injury or the threat of serious injury to Union industry, if, at the same time, the average import price for those imports from a country concerned is at least 10%, as a rule, below the relevant average domestic price of like or directly competitive products during the same period, based on available data.

3. The Commission shall treat, in the absence of contrary indications, an increase in volume of more than 5 % compared to the three-year average as a rule, of the imports under preferential terms of a given product from a country concerned as prima facie evidence of serious injury, or the threat of serious injury to the Union industry, if, at the same time, the average import price for those imports from a country concerned is at least 5 %, as a rule, below the relevant average domestic price of like or directly competitive products during the same period, based on available data.

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4. The Commission shall treat, in the absence of contrary indications, a decrease of more than 10% year-on-year, as a rule, in the average import price of a given product from a country concerned imported into the Union on preferential terms as prima facie evidence of serious injury or the threat of serious injury to Union industry, if at the same time the average import price for that product from a country concerned is at least 10%, as a rule, below the relevant average domestic price of like or directly competitive products during the same period, based on available data.

4. The Commission shall treat, in the absence of contrary indications, a decrease of more than 5 % compared to the three-year average, as a rule, in the average import price of a given product from a country concerned imported into the Union on preferential terms as prima facie evidence of serious injury or the threat of serious injury to the Union industry, if at the same time the average import price for that product from a country concerned is at least 5 %, as a rule, below the relevant average domestic price of like or directly competitive products during the same period, based on available data.

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4a. The Commission shall not be limited to the quantitative thresholds set out in this Article when establishing prima facie evidence of serious injury. Clear indications of a deterioration in the economic situation of the industry, across the Union or at Member State level, including sustained decreases in domestic prices, may be sufficient to demonstrate injury to the sector and may warrant the initiation of an investigation.

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. Where possible, the investigation shall be concluded within six months from the date on which the notice of initiation is published in the Official Journal of the European Union. That time limit may be extended by a further period of three months in exceptional circumstances, such as the involvement of an unusually high number of interested parties or complex market situations. The Commission shall notify all interested parties of any such extensions and explain the reasons therefor. Where an investigation concerns sensitive products, the Commission shall conclude it as soon as possible, with the aim of taking a final decision within four months from the date on which the notice of initiation is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

3. Where possible, the investigation shall be concluded within three months from the date on which the notice of initiation is published in the Official Journal of the European Union. That time limit may be extended by a further period of three months in exceptional circumstances such as the involvement of an unusually high number of interested parties or complex market situations. The Commission shall notify all interested parties of any such extensions and explain the reasons therefor. Where an investigation concerns sensitive products, the Commission shall conclude it as soon as possible, with the aim of taking a final decision within two months from the date on which the notice of initiation is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5. The Commission shall evaluate all relevant factors of an objective and quantifiable nature that affect the situation of the Union industry, in particular the rate and amount of the increase in imports of the product concerned in absolute and relative terms, the share of the domestic market taken by the increased imports, and changes regarding the Union industry with respect to the level of sales, production, productivity, capacity utilisation, profits and losses, and employment. This list is not exhaustive, and the Commission may take other relevant factors into consideration for its determination of the existence of serious injury or threat of serious injury, such as stocks, prices, return of capital employed, cash flow, the level of market shares, and other factors which are causing or may have caused serious injury, or threaten to cause serious injury to the Union industry.

5. The Commission shall evaluate all relevant economic indicators and factors of an objective and quantifiable nature that affect the situation of the Union industry, in particular the rate and amount of the increase in imports of the product concerned in absolute and relative terms, the share of the domestic market taken by the increased imports, and changes regarding the Union industry with respect to the level of sales, including prices, production, productivity, capacity utilisation, profits and losses, and employment. This list is not exhaustive, and the Commission may take other relevant factors into consideration for its determination of the existence of serious injury or threat of serious injury, such as stocks, return of capital employed, cash flow, the level of market shares, and other factors which are causing or may have caused serious injury, or threaten to cause serious injury to the Union industry.

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. In case of sensitive products, provisional safeguard measures shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(4) without delay and in any event within a maximum of 21 days from the initiation of the investigation to avert damage to Union industry which would be difficult to repair, including where such damage may be geographically concentrated in one or several Member States.

3. In case of sensitive products, provisional safeguard measures shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(4) without delay and in any event within a maximum of 14 days from the initiation of the investigation to avert damage to the Union industry which would be difficult to repair, including where such damage may be geographically concentrated in one or several Member States.

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Article15a

Anti-circumvention measures

1. If the Commission identifies circumvention of safeguard measures through changes in trade routes, including imports from Parties exempted from the measure, it may extend the scope of the measure to these imports or adopt other necessary implementing measures.

2. The Commission shall strengthen customs cooperation with Member States in verifying rules of origin and ensuring full traceability of imports of sensitive products.

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 14

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

14. Eggs

14. Eggs class A and B

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 15

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

15. Egg albumins

15. Eggs products- whole egg powder, yolk egg powder, egg albumins (standard, high whip, high gel)

Amendment 17

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 23 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

23 a. Citrus: oranges, lemons and mandarines

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This proposal for a Regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products constitutes a key instrument to ensure that trade liberalisation is accompanied by effective protection mechanisms for the Union’s most sensitive agricultural sectors. It strengthens the EU’s ability to react swiftly, proportionately and with legal certainty when imports from Mercosur countries cause, or threaten to cause, serious injury to EU producers.

European farmers have consistently expressed concerns about the potential impact of the agreement on agricultural markets. The safeguard mechanism proposed by the Commission responds adequately to these concerns. It establishes clear procedures, strict timelines, objective criteria and a robust operational framework that together ensure market stability and provide credible protection against sudden disturbances.

The Rapporteur considers that the Commission proposal strikes the appropriate balance between legal certainty, operational effectiveness and proportionality. The mechanism is consistent with established EU practice in other trade agreements and offers a reliable safeguard in a context where the confidence of the agricultural sector is essential for the overall acceptance of the EU-Mercosur Agreement.

This Regulation is not merely a technical exercise. It reflects the Union’s broader commitment to protecting its agricultural production, ensuring market stability, maintaining the competitiveness of its farmers and providing solid guarantees against potential market disruptions arising from trade liberalisation. Its timely adoption is therefore both necessary and strategically important.

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that he included in his report input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that he received, in the preparation of the report, prior to the adoption thereof in committee, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:

1. Interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register

Agricultural organisations and stakeholders

Representatives of farming interests affected by EU-Mercosur trade flows

2. Representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies

Embassies and Permanent Missions of Mercosur partner countries to the EU (technical exchanges)

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

8.12.2025

MINORITY POSITION

pursuant to Rule 56(4) of the Rules of Procedure

Manon Aubry, Luke Ming Flanagan, Marina Mesure

The bilateral agricultural safeguard proposed under the EU–Mercosur Agreement cannot address the structural problems the treaty creates and is, by design, almost impossible to activate. There is no automatic trigger, and the thresholds to open an investigation are so high that the mechanism remains symbolic. Crucially, the elements that make this safeguard weak and ineffective are embedded directly in the Agreement and cannot be modified by Parliament.

Even if activated, the clause would offer only short-lived tariff adjustments. It cannot suspend imports or introduce new quotas, and its effects would remain strictly time-limited: the safeguard may apply for a maximum of twelve years, while the Agreement itself will bind the Union indefinitely.

Such limited measures cannot counter the asymmetries created by rising imports of beef, poultry, sugar, maize and ethanol produced in Mercosur at far lower costs and under weaker environmental, social and sanitary requirements. Market destabilisation is cumulative and permanent: additional imports depress prices year after year, eroding farmers’ margins.

Europe has already lost millions of farms driven partly by similar trade pressures. A temporary and restrictive safeguard cannot reverse this structural decline and therefore fails to provide credible protection for European agriculture under the Mercosur Agreement.

2.12.2025

LETTER OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Mr Bernd Lange

2. The initial duration of a safeguard measure, as referred to in paragraph 1, may be extended by up to two years, provided that the safeguard measure continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury to Union industry and that there is evidence that the Union industry is adjusting. In case of sensitive products, a safeguard measure shall be extended by up to six years, provided that it continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury to Union industry.

ANNEX:ANNEX 2: DECLARATION OF INPUT

The Chair in her capacity as rapporteur for opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not include in her opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title

Implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products

References

COM(2025)0639 – C10-0247/2025 – 2025/0322(COD)

Date submitted to Parliament

8.10.2025

Committee(s) responsible

Date announced in plenary

INTA

24.11.2025

Committees asked for opinions

Date announced in plenary

AGRI

24.11.2025

Rapporteurs

Date appointed

Gabriel Mato

3.11.2025

Discussed in committee

3.11.2025

2.12.2025

8.12.2025

Date adopted

8.12.2025

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

27

8

7

Members present for the final vote

Manon Aubry, Christophe Bay, Brando Benifei, Anna Bryłka, Udo Bullmann, Benoit Cassart, Enikő Győri, Rihards Kols, Sebastian Kruis, Bernd Lange, Ilia Lazarov, Thierry Mariani, Gabriel Mato, Daniele Polato, Lukas Sieper, Francesco Torselli, Jörgen Warborn, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez

Substitutes present for the final vote

Mika Aaltola, Francisco Assis, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Saskia Bricmont, Waldemar Buda, Lina Gálvez, Hana Jalloul Muro, Sandra Kalniete, Cristina Maestre, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Marina Mesure, Branislav Ondruš, Lídia Pereira, Jessika Van Leeuwen

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

Gilles Boyer, Luke Ming Flanagan, Francisco José Millán Mon, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Michele Picaro, Carla Tavares, Thomas Waitz

Date tabled

9.12.2025

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Key to symbols: