Salmonella Alert for Brazilian Chicken: Questions Arise Over EU-Mercosur Agreement

Serious questions regarding the quality of imported food and the adequacy of European Union monitoring mechanisms have been raised following initial testing of frozen poultry from Brazil, imported into Greece under the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

According to analysis results from the Agia Paraskevi veterinary laboratories (state-run facilities specializing in animal health and food safety), a staggering 80% of the first batches of frozen chicken of Brazilian origin were found contaminated with salmonella bacteria. The detection of this exceptionally high contamination rate prompted competent authorities to order the immediate return of the specific batches.

The incident was confirmed during a press conference by Mr. Nikos Kakavas, President of the Πανελλήνια Ομοσπονδία Γεωτεχνικών του Δημοσίου (Panhellenic Federation of Public Sector Geotechnical Engineers). His allegations focus on the effectiveness and rigor of European control mechanisms, sparking concerns over the adequacy of evaluation procedures for imported agri-food products.

Provisional Application of the Agreement and Legal Challenges

The controversial trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries entered into provisional force on May 1, following a decision by the Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή (European Commission). However, its full finalization and implementation remain under institutional and legal challenge, as the European Parliament has already referred the case to the Δικαστήριο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης (Court of Justice of the European Union - CJEU).

The official filing of the case at the CJEU took place on March 25. At the current stage, member states and EU institutions have been invited to submit their written observations, while the process may also include oral hearings. Subsequently, the Advocate General will issue an opinion containing the proposed legal interpretation of the issue before the judges deliver a final ruling.

Potential for Amendments and Reactions

The final stance of the European Parliament is expected to be determined by the verdict of the European Court, a process estimated to take at least one year. Should legal incompatibilities with EU law be identified, the findings may necessitate changes or extensive modifications to the terms of the agreement.

It is recalled that the EU-Mercosur trade agreement remains a point of intense social and professional friction. Farmers and producers across the European Union have forcefully expressed their opposition to the trade pact.