According to the new regulation, approved by 483 votes in favor, 102 against, and 67 abstentions and informally agreed with the Council, the tariff preferences provided for in the EU-Mercosur trade agreement for imports of agricultural products from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay may be temporarily suspended if the increase in imports causes serious harm to European producers. The new regulations establish that the European Commission must launch an investigation into the need for protection measures if imports of sensitive products, such as poultry, beef, eggs, citrus fruits, and sugar, increase by 5% compared to the three-year average (compared to the 10% per year initially proposed by the Commission) and, at the same time, the import prices are 5% below the price in the EU. Member States, individuals or legal entities representing the sector, or an association acting on behalf of the industry can request an investigation in case of a threat of serious harm to the ...