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Swiss Upper House Backs Mercosur Trade Deal, Farm Aid
(MENAFN) Switzerland's Council of States, the upper chamber of parliament, voted 31 to seven Monday, with three abstentions, to approve a free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, according to a Swiss outlet.
Lawmakers also greenlit 517 million Swiss francs ($646 million) in financial support for Swiss farmers, aimed at cushioning the domestic agricultural sector from the deal's anticipated fallout.
The approval marks a reversal from earlier in the summer, when the National Council — parliament's lower house — rejected the same agreement during its summer session.
Critics of the deal, including the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party, had pushed for stronger provisions targeting deforestation and forced labor tied to the agreement's supply chains. The Council of States declined to adopt those measures, though it did sign off on the expanded farmer compensation package.
The Swiss Farmers' Association had initially pushed back against a proposed 158 million Swiss franc ($197 million) compensation package, arguing instead for roughly 880 million Swiss francs ($1.1 billion) in support, citing fears that duty-free South American imports — particularly beef and wine — would undercut domestic producers.
The compromise ultimately approved by the upper house includes four separate measures designed to help Swiss agriculture stay competitive under the new trade terms.
The Greens have warned they may force a national referendum if the agreement moves forward without stronger environmental and social safeguards attached.
Following the Council of States' vote, the National Council is expected to take up the Mercosur agreement again as soon as Sept. 23.
Lawmakers also greenlit 517 million Swiss francs ($646 million) in financial support for Swiss farmers, aimed at cushioning the domestic agricultural sector from the deal's anticipated fallout.
The approval marks a reversal from earlier in the summer, when the National Council — parliament's lower house — rejected the same agreement during its summer session.
Critics of the deal, including the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party, had pushed for stronger provisions targeting deforestation and forced labor tied to the agreement's supply chains. The Council of States declined to adopt those measures, though it did sign off on the expanded farmer compensation package.
The Swiss Farmers' Association had initially pushed back against a proposed 158 million Swiss franc ($197 million) compensation package, arguing instead for roughly 880 million Swiss francs ($1.1 billion) in support, citing fears that duty-free South American imports — particularly beef and wine — would undercut domestic producers.
The compromise ultimately approved by the upper house includes four separate measures designed to help Swiss agriculture stay competitive under the new trade terms.
The Greens have warned they may force a national referendum if the agreement moves forward without stronger environmental and social safeguards attached.
Following the Council of States' vote, the National Council is expected to take up the Mercosur agreement again as soon as Sept. 23.
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