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Due to the lack of progress on the multilateral front the EU has chosen to start bilateral agreements and economic partnership agreements with a number of countries and regions.
These deals agree the conditions under which the parties trade with each other including reduced tariffs, free trade and cooperation. These agreements have to comply with WTO rules.
Eurogroup closely monitors the negotiations as free trade agreements could offer benefits to promote our standards in third countries. There is, however, also concern that if animal welfare is not properly addressed, the agreement could result in cheap products from low welfare production to enter the EU market. This would have a negative effect on animals, on EU producers, and on EU food production and food sovereignty.
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile is the first one to include specific animal welfare references and was followed by the EU - South Korea FTA.
Eurogroup is urging the EU to include animal welfare provisions in each bilateral negotiation and provide for tools to implement provisions such as capacity building and training, and aid for trade.
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