Mercosur feedlot footage exposes harsh reality behind trade agreement

New video footage taken by the Animal Welfare Foundation in Mercosur countries has exposed the harsh reality of cattle feedlots conditions, where animals are raised for EU imports. These intensive cattle fattening systems subject thousands of animals to conditions that cause significant suffering, including heat stress, muddy and dusty environments, disease, and injuries. With the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement now in effect, these conditions are expected to worsen, as imports of bovine meat from these countries are set to increase significantly.

The footage reveals systemic failures in animal welfare practices, with animals suffering for up to 120 days before slaughter. These conditions directly contradict EU animal welfare standards and hinder fair competition for EU producers. The new FTA poses a threat not only to animal welfare but also to the environment, as feedlots are major drivers of deforestation in regions like the Amazon and Gran Chaco. Urgent calls have been made for the EU to update its animal welfare legislation to ensure that imported products also meet these standards.