These Mercosur products that could land on our plates – RTS.CH

The free trade agreement Between Switzerland. Similarly, a handful of countries in South America modify what we find on our plates? Moreover, In any case, it is the fear of farmers, green and Some NGOs Since Guy Parmelin’s announcement two weeks ago. Moreover, This brand new agreement concerns the countries of the Aele. Therefore, including Switzerland, and those of Mercosur, namely Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay.

In addition to the prospect of juicy contracts for Switzerland. For example, especially in the pharmacy sector, the text provides for the importation of Mercosur products free of customs rights. Consequently, This concerns for example beef and these mercosur products could land poultry, soybeans or wine. In addition, Rtsinfo immersed himself in the figures in order to understand what could change from the point of view of. Furthermore, the Swiss consumer.

In Switzerland, 20% of imports of fresh or refrigerated beef already come from Mercosur, and more particularly from Paraguay. Meanwhile, Foreign quantities necessary to be able to meet demand.

To protect national producers, the Confederation has set up tariff contingents, called WTO contingents. Meanwhile, This instrument limits imports by applying a lower customs right to a certain quantity (contingent rate). Therefore, a higher customs duty beyond this quantity (rate excluding contingent). Therefore, For meat, the quota is 23,700 tonnes, weakly taxed (between 0.6 and 3.75 francs per kilo, depending on the pieces). The new agreement plans to authorize Mercosur to import 3000 tonnes of beef. but this time completely free of taxes, in addition to the existing contingent. Or an economy of nearly these mercosur products could land 5 million francs for the countries of South America concerned.

Will Paraguayan meat be multiplied on Swiss stalls? Contacted. the Seco ensures that a system of communicating vases between the WTO contingent and the quantities provided for by the new agreement will make it possible not to have an effect on the Swiss market, which will remain 80% powered by the local.

Proviande, the scheme of the sectordoes not confirm or infirm this optimism. It does not exclude a dumping effect of prices linked to the arrival of unchanted meat. therefore cheaper, on an these mercosur products could land already tense market. Proviande is currently under discussion with the Federal Agriculture Office to clarify certain points still unanswered.

Another discontent reason: growth hormones products are authorized to import, but prohibited from production in Switzerland. However, meat from Mercosur does not meet the same standards as Swiss meat. “The presence of hormones will have to be clearly indicated. ” said Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin, craftsman of the agreement, in response to consumer concerns.

In Switzerland, poultry consumption amounts to around 15 kilos per capita per year. If the majority of the volume necessary to satisfy the market remains produced in Swiss territory. around a third comes from Brazil.

In 2024, Switzerland imported nearly 19,500 tonnes of Brazil poultry, including 1000 tonnes excluding quota, therefore strongly taxed (19.45 francs per kilo out of quota against 1.5 francs per kilo within the contingent limits). The additional 1000 tonnes provided by the agreement precisely cover these quantities outside the contingent, a “gift” of 20.3 million francs from the Confederation in Brazil.

But if the Green. Associations see with a bad eye the massive arrival of Brazilian poultry, it is because the intensive breeding of these volatiles contributes to the deforestation of the Amazon forest, hundreds of hectares being shaved to make room for the production of soybeans, necessary for the food of chickens.

For poultry as for beef. Proviande remains measured: “The commercial facilities granted to products that meet less strict production standards compromise consumer confidence and exert potential pressure these mercosur products could land on indigenous production. Proviande therefore requests a careful implementation of the agreement. in the systematic respect of the standards of sustainability and quality and in consultation with representatives of the Swiss meat industry.”

The agreement plans not to tax Mercosur soybells, but this was not so far. On the other hand. the text allows the importation of 20,000 tonnes of cake (Editor’s note: the name given to the solid by-products obtained after extraction of oil or legume seeds) of mercosur, against the 8000 imported currently. What worry the associations and environmentalists, who fear for the deforestation of the Amazon.

The free trade agreement also provides for the import of 8,000 tonnes of Mercosur fodder corn, against … zero currently. The fodder corn that enters Switzerland comes from the European Union, almost 80% from France. Except that the EU applies stricter standards to its cultures. In total. out of the 178 active substances authorized on corn in Brazil and Argentina, 92 are prohibited in Europe because they are considered to be health or environmental risks.

The million and a half of bottles currently imported from Mercosur would no longer be taxed at 70 cents per cap. The Confederation would therefore give up 1 million francs per year. On the other hand, she believes that Swiss wine will not be competed. There may be simply more Argentinian wine and less Spanish wine available. But on the side of the cellars. we are still afraid that the arrival of these mercosur products could land these inexpensive bottles, because exempt from taxes, does not draw all the prices down, while the Swiss cellars are already full.

A signature of the agreement is expected by the end of August. The treaty will then have to pass by Parliament, or even through a possible popular vote if referendum. The European Union. which concluded at the end of 2024 a similar agreement with the free trade area, faces a strong opposition, the agricultural world rejecting such a partnership. In Switzerland too, the debates promise to be intense.

Cécile Denayrouse and Romain Carrupt