Mercosur: when competition ceases to be fair

Visiting three supermarkets to find grapes produced relatively locally shouldn't be normal in a region full of vineyards. And yet, that's what happened to me last year. The produce filling the shelves came mostly from elsewhere, while local farmers find it increasingly difficult to survive. This everyday example explains better than any report what's happening to the agricultural sector. Farmers have been burdened for years with cumbersome bureaucracy, increasingly stringent regulations, and rising costs. Now, on top of all this, there's the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, which further aggravates an already precarious situation.

The problem isn't trade, but the unequal playing field. Demanding very high standards from European farmers while importing products from countries where these standards don't apply is unfair competition. It's like pitting Barcelona against Alcover: the result is decided before the match even begins. The case of glyphosate is a clear example: banned in Europe for years, but used without limits in South America. Given this scenario, the farmers' protests are more than legitimate. They are not asking for privileges, but rather the right to work and live with dignity from their labor. All of this challenges us as consumers, but also as citizens. It is worth remembering that these decisions are made in Europe. They may seem distant, but their consequences directly affect our territory and our daily lives.