Written question – EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, part 1/2 – E-004078/2025

Question for written answer  E-004078/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Anna Bryłka (PfE)

In view of the ongoing negotiations on free trade agreements between the European Union and the Mercosur countries and India, I would be grateful if you could provide information on the potential impact of these agreements on the European tobacco growing and processing sector.

Given the social and economic importance of this sector in certain regions of the EU, as well as the differences in labour costs, environmental standards and production regulations between the EU and its partner countries, I would ask you to answer the following questions:

• 1.Can the Commission confirm that, under the trade agreement being negotiated between the EU and the Mercosur countries, tobacco and tobacco products will not be subject to trade liberalisation that could undermine the competitiveness of European tobacco producers?
• 2.How does the Commission intend to prevent a situation in which cheap tobacco imports from Brazil, Argentina or other Mercosur countries – where labour costs and environmental requirements are lower – replace European production, leading to a decline in farmers’ incomes and job losses in the EU tobacco sector?
• 3.Does the Commission envisage reducing or abolishing customs duties on tobacco and tobacco products as part of the trade agreement being negotiated with India?

Submitted: 16.10.2025