TVP World | 11 May 2026
Poland takes Mercosur deal to top EU court over farmer fears
by Stanisław Kaleta
Poland has submitted a complaint against the recently signed trade deal between the EU and South American trading bloc Mercosur to the EU’s top court.
Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki confirmed Warsaw had submitted the complaint on Sunday evening to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU), together with a request to suspend the application of the deal until the same court issues a ruling on the matter.
“We expect this agreement and its implementation will be suspended as a result of the court’s decision,” Bosacki was quoted as saying by the Polish state news agency, PAP.
The agreement to create one of the world’s biggest free-trade zones was sealed in January after more than 25 years of stop-start negotiations, with most EU member states arguing it would improve market access for European manufacturers at a time of challenges from the US and China.
But Poland has led opposition to the agreement over concerns for the country’s farmers, who fear being undercut by cheaper goods from agricultural powerhouse Brazil and its neighbors.
The deal, which eliminates tariffs on more than 90% of trade between the two sides, favors European exports of cars, wine and cheese, while making it easier for South American beef, poultry, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans to enter Europe.
Warsaw also disagreed with the way the deal was fast-tracked in its final stages and its provisional implementation from May 1 after the European Parliament referred the deal to the CJEU.
“For the Polish government, the safety of our farmers and consumers is paramount,” Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski was also quoted as saying by PAP.
He added: “We fight for equal trade rules and the highest standards. The Polish countryside can count on us!”
