Protecting small farmers and geographical indications for agri-food products in the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Question for written answer  E-001054/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Krzysztof Jurgiel (ECR)

In its negotiations with New Zealand on a Free Trade Agreement, which were launched in 2018, the EU has committed to ‘fully taking into account EU agricultural sensitivities’. The EU is New Zealand's third largest trading partner, accounting for 13.5 % of the country's total trade, with bilateral trade in goods amounting to EUR 9.2 billion (2018 figures). As much as 73 % of products imported by the Union from New Zealand are agricultural in nature, which raises concerns for European farmers.

The Commission’s September 2017 impact assessment of Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand reads: ‘Trade liberalisation could lead to some transitional unemployment (reallocation) in a few sectors. In particular, increased market access in primary agriculture may negatively affect the rural employment of small farmers in the EU’.

In light of the above:

• 1.Does the Commission envisage the adoption of mechanisms to protect small farmers should this agreement have a real adverse impact on employment in this sector?
• 2.Documents from the ninth negotiating round on the agreement show that no agreement has been reached on geographical indications. Is the Commission still committed to taking a firm stance on geographical indications in the agreement with New Zealand, with a view to ensuring that they can be adequately protected?