As Europe pushes for higher sustainability standards in agriculture, the debate over "mirror measures" has intensified. These policies, aimed at ensuring that imported agricultural products meet the same environmental and production standards as those within the EU, have gained traction following widespread farmers’ protests in early 2024. While such measures could accelerate the green transition, they also raise concerns about fair competition, global trade dynamics, and the economic viability of farmers both within and outside the EU.

This publication delves into the complexities of sustainability standards, trade fairness, and agricultural policy, exploring both the push for stronger regulations and the broader implications for global food systems, highlighting the risks of imposing stringent rules on third-country producers without the necessary means to enforce them. Additionally, it provides recommendations for the European Union to raise sustainability standards in the agri-food sector through inclusive, co-designed and co-implemented mechanisms.

A lack of co-design and co-implementation in EU policies could have unforeseen economic, social, and environmental consequences, not just for trading partners, but also for European farmers and consumers. If these imbalances remain unaddressed, small producers in the global market may face further marginalisation, deepening inequality, disrupting trade, and ultimately hindering progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).