The deputy of Chega, Francisco Gomes, has expressed his concern about the recent commercial agreement signed between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, warning of possible negative effects on the competitiveness of products, in particular Madeira’s bananas.
The Madeiran parliamentarian considers that the pact, signed in Montevideo, can bring significant disadvantages to producers, including regional banana farmers, where bananas play an economic and social role and are part of the island’s identity.
“The agreement with Mercosur requires natural consideration of the future of our agriculture, including bananas from Madeira. It is a product that is not only vital to the regional economy, but also contributes to the beauty of our landscape and the cultural identity of Madeira. Is it is urgent to defend it in the context of Europe’s opening up to South American trade.”Stated Francisco Gomes, deputy in the Assembly of the Republic
According to the note, the trade agreement, which involves the twenty-seven EU member states and the Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay), aims to achieve a balance between European standards and the conditions of the South American partners. However, the lack of guarantees for national products has generated criticism from parties such as Chega, who fear a flood of produce on the European market from countries where the environmental, labour, and health rules are, in his opinion, “much less rigorous.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
