Health controls on food products imported under trade agreements, in particular the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement

Priority question for written answer P-002567/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Laurent Castillo (PPE)

Since 1981, the EU has had a ban, applicable to both Member States and imports from third countries, on the use of hormones to stimulate growth in farmed animals, including oestradiol. However, a Commission audit revealed that Brazil cannot guarantee that its beef exports have not been treated with oestradiol 17β. Thus, despite being carcinogenic, that growth hormone has been found in products consumed by Europeans.

This example illustrates not only the risk that the EU-Mercosur Agreement poses to the health of EU citizens, but also the unfair competition it appears to create for our farmers: almost 30 % of pesticides authorised in Brazil and Argentina are banned in the EU.

What measures does the Commission intend to take, with a view to protecting European consumers, to step up health checks on imported food products?

Submitted: 18.11.2024