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Home / News and events / Press Releases / ECVC met with Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen two days after the historic EU-Mercosur vote in Parliament

ECVC met with Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen two days after the historic EU-Mercosur vote in Parliament

23 January 2026

ECVC greatly appreciates the opportunity to engage in frank dialogue with Commissioner Hansen. However, we note the gap between his current position and ECVC's. While the Commissioner focuses on exports, international trade, and competitiveness, ECVC advocates for local markets, food sovereignty, and fair incomes for all farmers through market regulation.

With regard to the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, ECVC strongly opposes it, welcomes the European Parliament's vote, and demands respect for MEPs' decision. We firmly reject any provisional implementation of the agreement. Commissioner Hansen has defended this deal, ignoring the serious impacts it would have on agriculture in Europe and Mercosur countries. Furthermore, the Commissioner has downplayed the European Parliament's decision of 21 January.

We are concerned that Commissioner Hansen has shifted from his earlier support of market regulation and fair prices for farmers. He did not address ECVC's positions that the regulation of the common organisation of the markets and the directive on unfair trading practices are key to ensuring fair prices for farmers. This lack of response highlights contradictions in the Commission's approach to fair income and generational renewal.

ECVC presented Commissioner Hansen with a document setting out the priorities of European farmers and agriculture. The document can be accessed via this link.

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