ASSICA – the Italian Association of Meat and Cured Meat Industries – has fully endorsed the position of Federalimentare, Italy’s F&B industry association, stressing the urgent need for the European Union to finalize the Mercosur Partnership Agreement. The association considers the deal a “strategic turning point” to secure new export opportunities for the Italian meat and salumi sector, in a global environment marked by high commercial volatility.
Federalimentare’s President, Paolo Mascarino, emphasized the pressing nature of the moment: “Current events compel us to act swiftly. Just a few days ago, the U.S. Supreme Court hearing on tariff legitimacy offered no immediate guarantees. On the contrary, it has opened a prolonged horizon of systemic risk for our exports.” Mascarino warned that the pending U.S. Supreme Court decision could take a long time, potentially freezing the export sector: “The wait for a final verdict could be unbearably long, and for our industry, that delay is equivalent to paralysis. For Italy, the EU–Mercosur Agreement represents, in this context, a strategic imperative. It is the only short-term move available to create a vital risk-diversification channel and to design a future of stability and growth.”
Drawing a parallel with the success of the CETA agreement between the EU and Canada, Mascarino highlighted the potential of the new deal: “The elimination of tariffs under CETA led to export growth exceeding 96%. If we could replicate that success with Mercosur, our food exports could rise by €400 million, increasing to €800 million. The figures are decisive, but this agreement is not only about market expansion—it is about securing Italian products for 300 million consumers in a rapidly growing region.”
He also underlined the safeguards embedded in the draft agreement: “The deal guarantees the protection of 57 Italian PDO and PGI products and ensures preferential access to essential raw materials in which our country is not self-sufficient. Strong safeguard clauses would automatically activate across any EU member state if Mercosur products were sold below cost. Furthermore, imported goods must fully comply with EU phytosanitary regulations.”
L’articolo Mercosur: ASSICA and Federalimentare urge swift EU Action proviene da Italianfood.net.