MEPs from PASOK, a political party in Greece, have reiterated their opposition to the EU-Mercosur partnership in a vote held in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The vote was focused on implementing a bilateral safeguard clause concerning the EU-Mercosur partnership and interim trade agreement for agricultural products, wherein the party's representatives highlighted that the ongoing negotiations have failed to address the weaknesses identified in the initial proposal. Instead, they believe the current version has become more problematic, particularly concerning the effectiveness of mechanisms aimed at protecting European agricultural production.

The criticisms from PASOK MEPs center around the alleged inadequacy of the so-called 'safeguard clauses', which only activate after market disruptions have occurred, leaving European producers without immediate protections or compensation guarantees. They express concerns that the regulatory discrepancies in food production standards may be detrimental to local farmers, who might struggle to compete under guidelines that are less stringent than those currently in the EU. The lack of robust safeguards could further deepen challenges faced by European farmers in an increasingly competitive global market.

This stance reflects broader anxieties within the European Parliament regarding trade agreements that might undermine local agricultural sectors. PASOK’s continued resistance highlights the ongoing debate in Europe about the extent to which trade agreements can be balanced against the need to protect domestic agriculture, feeding into larger discussions about food security, trade justice, and sustainability within the EU. Their actions could influence future negotiations and policy directions related to agricultural trade agreements across Europe.