Lower Thirds: 

0:03	Report by Alexa Meyer
0:26	Christian Rohlfink, Farmer
1:04	Lena Fließ,  Forum for Modern Agriculture
1:30	Marcelo González Ferreira, Paraguayan Vice-Minister of Agriculture 
1:49	Luis Rua, Brazilian Vice-Minister of Trade
2:36 Christian Rohlfink, Farmer

((info: The free trade agreement between the Mercosur countries and the EU has been signed. Many farmers in Europe now fear increased price pressure due to imports from countries with supposedly lower production standards. At the same time, domestic farmers are facing ever more regulations. Many don't see financial concessions promised by the EU Commission as significant relief, either. At least that's what they're saying at the agricultural fair in Berlin.))

Script: 

Christian Rohlfink is  an organic farmer near Rostock in Northern Germany. And he's presenting his cows at the Grüne Woche.. or "Green Week" agricultural fair. He has mixed feelings about the free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Among other things, the deal stipulates that the South American countries will be allowed to export almost 100,000 additional tons of beef to the EU annually.

+++TC: 00.26  SOT Christian Rohlfink,  Farmer:+++
"Basically, I'm a business man, and I'm happy when I can trade with many partners. And that's true even in these crazy political times.. when an agreement is reached that makes free trade possible. BUT – and here comes the big but: I'm a farmer and we produce the highest quality food here. And we adhere to the highest environmental and social standards; our minimum wage is at 15 Euro, and we have regulations regarding water protection, plant protection, and animal welfare."

+++TC: 01:04 SOT Lena Fließ,  Forum for Modern Agriculture+++
"That's the problem... the concern that higher production standards in Germany are an making it impossible for farmers to be competitive."

TC: 01:11
The EU Commission expects meat prices in European supermarkets to fall by no more than 2 percent after the agreement is signed. The consequences for European farmers would therefore be minimal. And the representatives of the Mercosur countries are also defending themselves:

+++TC: 01:30 SOT Marcelo González Ferreira, Paraguayan Vice-Minister of Agriculture (spanisch):+++
"The agreement includes safeguards and also provides protection for European producers. The European and South American control bodies are jointly responsible for ensuring that both sides benefit."

+++TC:  SOT Luis Rua, Brazilian Vice-Minister of Trade  (spanisch):+++
"It's also an opportunity for European producers of, for example, wine, cheese, and so many other European products that we Brazilians love, eat, and enjoy. And we'll be able to get them more easily here."

TC: 02:12 
The European Union has established a kind of safety net: all imports must continue to comply with strict EU rules. Should import volumes exceed the agreed limits, EU countries can impose an import ban. Furthermore, 45 billion Euros in additional financial aid have been made available. Nevertheless, many farmers want more.

TC: 02:36 ((im On bei   SOT Christian Rohlfink,  Farmer:))
"We ask for proof that the farmers, our professional colleagues in South America, are monitored in the same way, and produce under the same social and environmental standards as we do."

TC: 02:45  freistehend: 2 Sek. Musik
The mood among farmers at the Green Week is still upbeat. But, of course, the agreement is not yet in force: it still needs to be ratified by the European Parliament and those of the Mercosur countries.