Poland to challenge EU-Mercosur trade deal in top court

Poland will file a complaint with the Court of Justice of the European Union over the EU’s free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said, as Warsaw seeks to block a deal it argues would harm domestic farmers, Reuters reports.

Alongside France, Poland has been among the most vocal opponents of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, a South American trade bloc. Supporters say the deal would improve market access for European manufacturers, while critics warn it could lead to a surge in imports of cheaper beef, sugar, and poultry, undercutting local producers.

The European Parliament also voted in January to refer the agreement to the bloc’s top court.

“Poland will file a complaint against the European Union-Mercosur agreement with the Court of Justice of the European Union,” Kosiniak-Kamysz was quoted as saying by state news agency PAP.

He added that Warsaw has until May 26 to submit the complaint.

“We believe that food security, consumer safety, and the protection of our own market are at risk,” he said.

The European Commission said in March that the agreement would be applied on a provisional basis starting May 1.

By Vafa Guliyeva