Leather bodies issue joint-statement supporting EU-Mercosur deal
12/12/2018
Brazilian tanning industry association CICB and the industry’s representative body in the European Union, COTANCE, issued the joint-statement on December 12. They explained that the EU and Mercosur together comprise about one-third of bovine hides and calfskins available for processing globally and one-fifth of sheep and goatskins.
Combined, the two trading blocs represent around 50% of global bovine leather output and 18% of sheep and goat leather. Together, they make up of about 60% of the world’s bovine leather exports and 20% of exports of sheep and goat leather.
“An ambitious free trade agreement between both sides eliminating both import and export barriers for the trade in raw materials and leather is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the sector’s economic growth and jobs,” the statement said, “and enhance rules-based trade at a time when protectionism surfaces around the world.”
The European Union began discussions with the four founder member states of Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) in 2000. After delays, the idea was relaunched in 2010. Discussions paused in 2012 before being relaunched again in 2016. In October 2016, the sides “exchanged offers”, which have been under negotiation since. The latest round of negotiations, the thirty-fifth round in all, concluded in October 2018.
Image: UNIC
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