The Czech presidency of the Council will start on 1 July, and the pressure is high to start ratification of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that have already been concluded by the EU, including the modernised EU-Mexico Global Agreement. Eurogroup for Animals welcomes the inclusion in this FTA of a standalone chapter on animal welfare but calls on the EU and Mexico to postpone the ratification of this agreement until the EU adopts legislation tackling the negative effects that unconditional trade liberalisation has on animals, people and the planet.