Plenary session: EU/USA Agreement on the allocation of a share in the tariff rate quota for imports of high-quality beef

EU/USA Agreement on the allocation of a share in the tariff rate quota for imports of high-quality beef (recommendation) (A9-0038/2019 - Bernd Lange)

I voted against because signing the agreement benefits the USA, which very recently started the process of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement - a decision that seriously harms Europeans (and all of mankind). Failure to sign the agreement will send a strong signal of disapproval for this withdrawal, acting as a boycott.

I also voted against because allowing the USA to export (high-quality) beef to the EU will result in a boost to this industry - a highly polluting activity that will contribute to deepen the serious climate problems we are trying to combat. The World Health Organization has recommended reducing meat consumption for health and environmental reasons. What contradictory and irresponsible signal will we be giving Europeans if, instead of reducing the total amount of imported meat of this kind, we open the market to a new bloc?
Eurobarometer 442, “Europeans' attitudes towards animal welfare”, concluded that 82% of Europeans believe that animal welfare on livestock farms should be better protected than it is today. Knowing that US legislation has standards below those of the EU, the conclusion of this agreement will translate into a serious contradiction of the will of Europeans.

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