The EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been in negotiations for over 20 years and was finally established in June of 2019, while still waiting for the last phases of signature and conclusion. The ratification of this agreement would result in the creation of the largest free trade area ever founded by the EU, with a population of over 780 million people, affecting diverse sectors related to environment, economy and local communities both in the EU and in the Mercosur countries. Some – or most – of the effects within environmental and social concerns are thought to be negative, due to many reasons. In fact, this is the main argument of several environmental institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations from Europe and South America to be against the ratification of this FTA.
This webinar is organized by the Viva Cerrado Action Group, from Wervel organization, and it will discuss how this Free Trade Agreement will impact the environment and livelihoods of countries in both parties, bringing perspectives from professionals of Brazil and Belgium as representative examples of South America and Europe.
Larissa Mies Bombardi, a Brazilian geographer and author of the report “Atlas of Agrochemicals and Connections between Brazil and the EU”
Guilherme Eidt, from the Brazilian organization Instituto Sociedade, Populacao e Natureza (ISPN)
Tijs Boelens, from De Groentelaar, a small-scale organic horticultural company from Belgium
Marc Maes, a Trade Policy Officer at the Belgian NGO coalition 11.11.11.