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- Sexual predator mocks victim with tongue gesture following Tube attack | News UK
- Tiger Woods’ mugshot unveiled after his arrest from a serious car accident
- EU calls for coordinated energy measures amid rising prices and conflict
- Father and son jailed for fatal road rage crash involving four-year-old boy
- US soldiers sustain injuries in Iranian missile strike on Saudi air base
- EU reaches new trade deal with Australia amid farmer discontent over Mercosur
- EU faces potential stagflation risks amid ongoing Middle East conflict.
- US economy shows signs of recovery as unemployment rate declines further
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Sexual predator mocks victim with tongue gesture following Tube attack | News UK
2:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Sexual predator mocks victim with tongue gesture following Tube attack | News UK
SEXUAL ASSAULT SENTENCE
Craig Anthony Anderson, 38, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison at The Old Bailey for sexual assaults and stalking women on trains and at stations.
Craig Anthony Anderson, 38, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison at The Old Bailey for sexual assaults and stalking women on trains and at stations.
LEGAL ACTION TAKEN
Craig Anthony Anderson was sentenced by The Old Bailey to one year and 10 months in prison for multiple sexual assaults and stalking.
Craig Anthony Anderson was sentenced by The Old Bailey to one year and 10 months in prison for multiple sexual assaults and stalking.
SEXUAL CRIME SENTENCE
Craig Anthony Anderson was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison at The Old Bailey for multiple sexual assaults and stalking of women.
Craig Anthony Anderson was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison at The Old Bailey for multiple sexual assaults and stalking of women.
What we know so far
Craig Anthony Anderson, 38, has been sentenced to one year and ten months in prison for a series of sexual assaults and stalking incidents involving young women on trains and at stations across London and its surrounding areas. The verdict was delivered at The Old Bailey following a trial in January, where Anderson was found guilty on four counts of sexual assault and one count of stalking.
During his attacks, which took place between June and October 2025, Anderson approached women under the guise of conversation before sexually assaulting them. British Transport Police (BTP) highlighted his brazen behaviour, with one victim describing how he followed her and verbally abused her before attempting to steal her bag.
In addition to the prison sentence, Anderson received a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, preventing him from approaching or being near lone women. Detective Constable Libby Wildego remarked, “Anderson is a dangerous predator who preyed on women for his own sexual gratification,” praising the victims for coming forward and aiding the investigation.
The police were able to apprehend Anderson after tracking him through CCTV footage and identification methods. His disturbing behaviour prompted strong measures from the court to protect potential victims in the future.
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Sexual predator sticks tongue out at victim after Tube assault | News UK
A man who sexually assaulted and stalked women on trains and at stations has been jailed.
Craig Anthony Anderson, 38, of no fixed address, attacked young women while they were travelling on the Tube and rail network between June and October last year.
The predator targeted lone women in London and in the surrounding areas by first striking up a conversation with his victims before sexually assaulting them.
At Bank Underground station, Anderson followed a young woman on June 14 shortly before 4pm and started an unwanted conversation with her.
He told her she looked ‘sexy’ after asking for her name and number.
She asked her to leave her alone before Anderson sexually assaulted her.
CCTV footage captured brazen Anderson sticking his tongue out at her and laughing as he walked through the station.
Around a week later, Anderson asked another young woman for her social media details on board a train at Guildford, Surrey. They exchanged phone numbers, and he harassed her over text for a few weeks.
The woman refused to meet up, and on July 15, Anderson followed her from Epsom railway station onto the Victoria-bound train. On board, he verbally abused her before trying to steal her bag, proceeding to follow her.
The terrified woman hid in the train toilet until Canary Wharf when Anderson left.
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He terrorised her for months until his arrest in October, sending her sexual messages and images.
Anderson went on to target three other victims before he was eventually apprehended at a passport office, where the man claimed he was leaving the UK within weeks.
At London Liverpool Street station exit, he approached a young woman on August 2, tapping her on the shoulder asking her swhere she was going and for her social media accounts, which she refused to give.
Anderson then said she was being difficult and asked to touch her, which she refused again. But the man sexually assaulted her before fleeing the station.
Some weeks later, on August 29, he attacked another woman at Westminster Underground station after asking for directions.
But he followed her up the escalator and sexually assaulted her, laughing in her face before leaving the scene.
His last known crime was on the evening of October 6 on the platform at Purley railway station.
Under the disguise of asking for directions to Gatwick Airport, he quizzed a woman about her personal life and went on to board the same train, where he sat next to her.
She eventually told him she wasn’t interested after Anderson pestered her for her phone number and email.
Anderson asked her what she would do if he tried to kiss her, and she said she would report him to the police.
He sexually assaulted her and blocked her escape attempts from her seat.
The victim was able to escape eventually and get out of the train at Redhill station.
British Transport Police detectives were able to track Anderson using CCTV stills and an identification parade.
His behaviour was so persistent that the judge at the Old Bailey made a sweeping sexual harm prevention order banning him from being able to approach, sit or stand near lone women for 10 years.
Detective Constable Libby Wildego said: ‘Anderson is a dangerous predator who preyed on women for his own sexual gratification.
‘Just as he did throughout the assaults themselves, when we questioned him under caution he smirked throughout and offered no comment, highlighting the sheer lack of remorse for his actions.
‘It is thanks to the brave victims who came forward and supported our investigation that we have seen Anderson sentenced for his horrific crimes.
‘Despite his own behaviour in court where he voluntarily left before he received his sentence, I hope this result provides some sense of comfort for the victims.’
Anderson was jailed at The Old Bailey last week to one year and 10 months in prison following a trial in January, which found him guilty of four counts of sexual assault and one count of stalking.
Tiger Woods’ mugshot unveiled after his arrest from a serious car accident
12:00 pm
Tiger Woods’ mugshot unveiled after his arrest from a serious car accident
Tiger Woods arrested
Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after his Land Rover rolled over in a Florida crash, exhibiting signs of impairment.
Official Statement
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Woods faces charges of DUI, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test following the crash.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Woods faces charges of DUI, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test following the crash.
Upcoming Court Date
Authorities have not yet announced a court date for the DUI and property damage charges against Tiger Woods following his arrest.
Authorities have not yet announced a court date for the DUI and property damage charges against Tiger Woods following his arrest.
Briefing summary
Police released Tiger Woods’ mugshot after his arrest for driving under the influence following a car crash in Florida. The incident involved a Land Rover swerving and rolling over.
Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed that Woods showed “signs of impairment” but tested negative on a breathalyser. He later refused to provide a urine sample, leading to DUI charges.
Full reading: Tiger Woods’ mugshot released after his arrest following dramatic car crash | US News
Police have released Tiger Woods’ mugshot hours after he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a dramatic car crash in Florida.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said a Land Rover, which the golf legend was driving, tried to overtake a truck “at high speeds” before it swerved and rolled on to its side after clipping a truck towing a trailer.
The mugshot was released hours after Woods’ arrest. Pic: Martin County Sheriff’s Office
He said Woods showed “signs of impairment” after the incident, which happened shortly after 2pm local time on Friday and not far from where the golfer lives on Jupiter Island.
Woods, 50, took a breathalyser test after his arrest, which came back negative, but the golfer then refused to give a urine sample, police said.
Tiger Woods standing near his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Florida. Pic: AP
Sheriff Budensiek told reporters during a news conference: “When it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused, and so he has been charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”
None of the parties involved in the crash reported injuries.
Pointing to how the smash unfolded on a small, two-lane road, Sheriff Budensiek said it was lucky no one was injured.
Police arriving at the scene of the crash. Pic: WPTV
“Had there been someone moving in the opposite direction, we would not be having a conversation saying there was no injuries. This could’ve been a lot worse,” Sheriff Budensiek said.
“He [Woods] was lethargic on scene but that we believe was because of what he was intoxicated on.”
The vehicle Woods hit was a truck towing a pressure cleaner trailer.
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Woods was able to escape the vehicle by crawling through the passenger door, police said. Pic: Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP
The truck driver tried to “edge off” the side of the road to get out of the way but there was not enough room, the sheriff explained during an update on Friday.
It is not known if Woods was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, as he “crawled out of the passenger door” prior to police arriving at the scene.
Woods was held in custody in Martin County Jail for around eight hours before he was released on bail.
‘Very close friend’ of Trump
President Donald Trump, whose former daughter-in-law Vanessa Trump is dating Woods, was asked about the golfer when he landed in Miami on Friday for an investment summit.
“I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty,” Mr Trump said. “Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person. Amazing man. But, some difficulty.”
This was the latest in a series of vehicle-related incidents involving Woods, most recently in February 2021 when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at a high rate of speed, leading to multiple leg and ankle injuries.
Woods said later his injuries were so bad that doctors considered amputation.
He also was arrested on a DUI charge in 2017 when South Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car that was parked awkwardly with damage to the driver’s side.
He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving after it emerged he had had five prescription drugs in his system at the time.
Tiger Woods with his then wife Elin Nordegren at a basketball game in 2009. Pic: Reuters
In 2009 he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree outside his Florida home – an accident which inadvertently led to a spectacular unravelling of his private life.
Woods’ then wife, Elin Nordegren, used a golf club to smash a window of his Cadillac Escalade to get him out.
‘I’m not perfect’
“This situation is my fault and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me,” Woods said on his official website at the time.
“I’m human and I’m not perfect.”
The incident revealed a bitter marital dispute with Nordegren, as a host of women came forward to admit to having had extramarital affairs with Woods.
Woods and Nordegren divorced in August 2010.
Skid marks seen on the road after Woods’ latest accident. Pic: Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP
The latest crash comes after Woods returned to competitive action for the first time in over a year on the final night of play in the indoor TGL competition on Tuesday.
He had said afterwards that he hoped he would be fit enough to play at the Masters next month.
Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. His major titles include five Masters, three US Opens, three British Opens and four PGA Championships.
EU calls for coordinated energy measures amid rising prices and conflict
11:00 am
EU calls for coordinated energy measures amid rising prices and conflict
Price Surge
Brent crude has exceeded $100 a barrel due to the conflict’s impact, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy infrastructure.
Brent crude has exceeded $100 a barrel due to the conflict’s impact, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy infrastructure.
Preparedness Focus
EU officials assert that increased domestic clean energy production and stronger infrastructure provide the bloc with better preparedness compared to the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
EU officials assert that increased domestic clean energy production and stronger infrastructure provide the bloc with better preparedness compared to the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Official Response
“Europe’s energy transition is a strategic objective, and no short-term crisis will divert us from it,” stated Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
“Europe’s energy transition is a strategic objective, and no short-term crisis will divert us from it,” stated Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
Key developments
Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis confirmed rising Brent crude prices above $100 a barrel, warning that escalating tensions from the Iran conflict could lead to further energy shocks across Europe.
EU officials highlighted increased domestic clean energy production as evidence of improved readiness compared to the 2022 energy crisis, though they remain cautious amid ongoing uncertainty related to the conflict’s duration.
The European Commission is set to propose measures to reduce electricity tax rates and modernise the EU’s carbon market to mitigate market volatility as price pressures continue.
EU ministers weigh oil price cap and windfall tax to rein in soaring energy costs
Published on •Updated
Analysts warn that further price spikes could echo the 2022 energy crisis.
EU officials insist the bloc is better prepared than in 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered severe energy shortages. They point to increased domestic clean energy production and stronger infrastructure.
However, uncertainty remains high due to the unpredictable duration of the conflict. Officials also warn that the EU’s “financial manoeuvring room is more limited than before,” as defence spending has increased.
Despite efforts to diversify supplies since 2022, Europe remains exposed to global shocks and must be ready for renewed volatility, even if the situation falls short of a full-scale crisis, officials said.
Speaking after a ministerial meeting in Brussels on Friday, Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the “scale, severity and impact” of the war have intensified over the past two weeks.
He cited the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy infrastructure, which have pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel and driven up natural gas prices.
“The key issue is the duration and intensity of the crisis, as these will determine the scale of the energy shock (…) Our shared hope is for de-escalation and avoiding major disruption to energy infrastructure,” Eurogroup President Kyriakos Mihrakakis said.
Pierre Gramegna, managing director of the European Stability Mechanism, warned that “even if the conflict were to end tomorrow, the consequences would remain with us for a long time.”
EU’s ‘toolbox’ under discussion to tackle rising prices
As the long-term impact of the Iran conflict is assessed, the Commission is urging member states to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Spain and Portugal are cited as examples due to their lower exposure to price volatility linked to renewables.
“Europe’s energy transition is a strategic objective, and no short-term crisis will divert us from it,” Dombrovskis said.
The Commission is also calling on member states to curb gas and oil demand, echoing an IEA warning issued on 20 March, a day after EU leaders announced “targeted and temporary” measures to ease energy prices.
Brussels has stressed such measures should remain short-term and affordable to avoid long-term fiscal strain.
The note also recommends targeted support for households and businesses most affected, rather than broad subsidies that risk distorting markets and stretching public finances.
To avoid a repeat of fragmented national responses seen in previous crises, the Commission is pushing for EU-level coordination, financed through existing tools such as carbon market revenues or windfall taxes rather than new borrowing.
In the coming weeks, the Commission is expected to propose lower tax rates on electricity and measures to ensure it is taxed less heavily than fossil fuels. It will also outline plans to modernise the EU’s carbon market, including updates to free allocation benchmarks and a stronger Market Stability Reserve to limit price volatility.
Father and son jailed for fatal road rage crash involving four-year-old boy
10:00 am
Get you up to speed: Father and son jailed for fatal road rage crash involving four-year-old boy
LEGAL SENTENCE
Owen and Patrick Maughan were jailed for manslaughter and grievous bodily harm following a drunken crash in Northfleet that killed four-year-old Peter Maughan.
Owen and Patrick Maughan were jailed for manslaughter and grievous bodily harm following a drunken crash in Northfleet that killed four-year-old Peter Maughan.
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES
Judge Oliver Saxby KC sentenced Owen Maughan to over 12 years, while Patrick Maughan received 18 years for the manslaughter of four-year-old Peter Maughan.
Judge Oliver Saxby KC sentenced Owen Maughan to over 12 years, while Patrick Maughan received 18 years for the manslaughter of four-year-old Peter Maughan.
LEGAL STATUS
Owen Maughan was sentenced to over 12 years, while Patrick Maughan received 18 years for manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, as confirmed by Maidstone Crown Court.
Owen Maughan was sentenced to over 12 years, while Patrick Maughan received 18 years for manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, as confirmed by Maidstone Crown Court.
What we know so far
A father and son have been sentenced to prison for the drunken manslaughter of four-year-old Peter Maughan in Northfleet, Kent. Owen Maughan, 27, and his father, Patrick Maughan, 54, caused the fatal crash after consuming significant amounts of alcohol before ramming their vehicle into the family’s car.
The incident, which took place on June 1 last year, resulted in Peter’s tragic death and left his father, Lovell Mahon, paralysed. Maidstone Crown Court heard that Owen consumed around 12 bottles of alcohol, while Patrick had 13 pints over six and a half hours. The events escalated when the pair chased the family’s vehicle after an argument, leading to the crash at high speed.
Following the collision, Peter was thrown from the vehicle, sustaining fatal injuries. His mother, Hayley Maughan, described the heart-wrenching moment she discovered her son lying face down in the grass. Judge Oliver Saxby KC condemned Owen’s actions, stating he had sought to teach a lesson and had shown disregard for the safety of the family.
Owen was sentenced to over 12 years in prison, while Patrick received an 18-year sentence. Both individuals were also disqualified from driving upon their release. The Maughan family has expressed profound grief, highlighting the devastating impact of the tragedy on their lives.
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Dad and son who killed boy, 4, in ‘drunk road rage’ crash jailed | News UK
A dad and son were seen boozing in a pub for hours before causing a crash that killed a four-year-old boy and left his father paralysed.
Owen Maughan and his dad, Patrick Maughan, have been jailed after ramming a car in drunken rage at a family vehicle following an argument in Northfleet, Kent.
The crash on June 1 last year killed Peter Maughan, aged four, and left his dad unable to walk again.
In the hours before, Owen was drinking in pubs with friends. He drank around 12 bottles of alcohol, while Patrick consumed 13 pints over six and a half hours, Maidstone Crown Court heard.
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After a day of drinking, Owen, 27, began driving them home from Rochester, Kent, in a Ford Ranger pick-up truck.
The pair saw Owen’s cousin Hayley Maughan, who was travelling in another Ford pick-up truck with her partner, Lovell Mahon, on their way back from a family day out to a McDonald’s.
Dashcam footage from the A2 in Kent showed the cars driving side-by-side along the A2 in Kent with shouting between them, and Owen ‘terrorising’ and ‘chasing’ the family’s vehicle for several miles.
He then swerved into the wrong lane and clipped the family’s pick-up truck at around 60mph, causing it to roll over three times off New Barn Road in Northfleet.
Peter, who had been in the back seat with his one-year-old sister Annarica Mahon, was thrown out of the vehicle.
His mum screamed for help after finding the youngster lying face down in the grass. Peter died of devastating injuries to his head, chest and abdomen, while his dad suffered a skull fracture but survived.
Ms Maughan described Peter as a ‘happy boy’ who loved going to school.
She said: ‘Peter didn’t get to start his life. He didn’t get to go to school on a school trip. He didn’t even get to learn to read.
‘Peter made me who I was, I had him when I was 18 and now he’s gone I’m nothing.’
The mum described the ‘horror’ of finding his packed lunch and shoes ready for the next school day following his death.
Owen and Patrick fled the scene before the police arrived.
CCTV footage later that night showed Patrick, 54, removing the number plate from the pick-up truck. The car was later found abandoned and damaged, with a child’s pushchair still trapped underneath it.
During the trial, Owen Maughan claimed he didn’t know there were children in the car, but Judge Oliver Saxby KC said he had been aware of it.
Judge Saxby told Owen Maughan: ‘You were angry he had not stopped and wanted to teach him a lesson.
‘This was no ‘nudge’ as you claimed in evidence.
‘You were never going to stop, you didn’t care what happened to Lovell Mahon and his family. “We don’t give a f***”, as you had put it.’
Mr Mahon said his son’s death has ‘broken’ him, and he has anxiety and paranoia when someone drives too close to them.
He said: ‘When I found out he was gone words can’t even describe it.
‘I can’t even get to see Peter at his grave because of the bumps.’
Owen and Patrick Maughan, both of Hill Rise, Dartford, were cleared of murder, but convicted of manslaughter.
Patrick was also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Mahon, which Owen had admitted to.
Owen was jailed for over 12 years and Patrick for 18 years, and the pair was disqualified from driving after their release from prison.
US soldiers sustain injuries in Iranian missile strike on Saudi air base
9:49 am
Get you up to speed: US soldiers sustain injuries in Iranian missile strike on Saudi air base
A strike hit the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, injuring two people seriously and damaging American aircraft. Additionally, 12 US soldiers have been injured following an Iranian missile attack on the same air base.
Twelve US soldiers were injured when an Iranian missile struck the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, with two sustaining serious injuries, according to reports. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the ongoing war is expected to conclude in “weeks not months.”
The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 303 American injuries since the war began with Operation Epic Fury on February 28. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has indicated that a new escalation of conflict is likely, stating, “I have reasons to believe…that stabilization is unlikely in the coming days.”
Iranian strike injures 12 US soldiers as Trump promises to end war ‘in weeks’ | News World
A strike hit the Prince Sultan Air Base yesterday, injuring two people seriously and damaging American aircraft (Picture: Reuters)
Some 12 US soldiers have been injured after an Iranian missile hit an air base in Saudi Arabia.
A strike hit the Prince Sultan Air Base yesterday, injuring two people seriously and damaging American aircraft.
The base was also hit on March 1, killing US Army Sergeant Benjamin N Pennington, 26.
At least 303 Americans have been injured in the Iran war, started by Trump’s Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
Retaliatory strikes from Iran have covered the Middle East ever since. Yemen also confirmed firing a strike towards Israel yesterday, marking the first time the country has become involved in the conflict.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the war is set to end in ‘weeks not months’.
U.S. Army Sergeant Benjamin N. Pennington died at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia
(Picture: Reuters)
Members of the military carry the transfer case during a dignified transfer of the remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin Pennington (Picture: Reuters)
He said: ‘We have objectives and we are very confident we are on the verge of achieving them.’
US president Donald Trump has hit out at Nato, saying it was a ‘big mistake’ member countries did not support the war.
He said: ‘I’ve always said NATO is a paper tiger.’
Iran has warned the US and Israel is ‘playing with fire’ after strikes in Tehran targeted power and nuclear sites.
State media reported strikes on Iran’s decommissioned heavy-water nuclear research reactor and a factory producing yellowcake uranium late on Friday.
The strikes didn’t cause any casualties or risk of contamination, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said.
But Tehran quickly threatened to retaliate.
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One yesterday (Picture: AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X: ‘Israel has hit 2 of Iran’s largest steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear sites among other infrastructure.
‘Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy. Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes.’
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk warned an escalation of conflict is coming.
He said: ‘I have reasons to believe, also based on information we’ve received from our allies, that stabilization is unlikely in the coming days. On the contrary, a new escalation may occur.’
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EU reaches new trade deal with Australia amid farmer discontent over Mercosur
9:00 am
EU reaches new trade deal with Australia amid farmer discontent over Mercosur
New Trade Agreement
On Tuesday, the EU finalised a deal with Australia allowing 30,600 tonnes of beef to enter the EU annually, alongside significant quotas for sheep and goat meat.
On Tuesday, the EU finalised a deal with Australia allowing 30,600 tonnes of beef to enter the EU annually, alongside significant quotas for sheep and goat meat.
Key Quotas Set
The Mercosur agreement provides significant import quotas of 99,000 tonnes of beef, 25,000 tonnes of pork, and 188,000 tonnes of poultry annually.
The Mercosur agreement provides significant import quotas of 99,000 tonnes of beef, 25,000 tonnes of pork, and 188,000 tonnes of poultry annually.
Farmers’ concerns
“Our experience in general with safeguards is that they are extremely difficult to activate because the burden of the proof is on us, farmers,” stated a farmers’ representative.
“Our experience in general with safeguards is that they are extremely difficult to activate because the burden of the proof is on us, farmers,” stated a farmers’ representative.
Key developments
The EU announced agreements with Australia, India, and Mercosur, consolidating its strategic trade ambitions. The Australia deal marked a pivotal point, but EU farmers expressed significant discontent regarding the Mercosur agreement.
Despite a legal challenge to the Mercosur deal, the EU Commission’s strategy focuses on maintaining concessions, particularly on beef imports, while seeking enhanced access for high-value exports. This dual approach complicates negotiations.
Concerns over competition from meat imports remain paramount among EU farmers, who argue that trade safeguards are difficult to activate, raising fears that the impact of agreements may not adequately protect local agricultural interests.
The EU’s recipe for trade deals : easy on beef, tough on wine
Three deals across three key regions : Mercosur, India and Australia.
While the Commission hailed the Australia agreement as a new geostrategic win, EU farmers continue to express deep discontent stemming from the Mercosur deal.
In practice, the backlash around the agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay has done little to shift the Commission’s dual approach in its negotiating line. On the one hand, the commission kept making concessions on entry-level or mid-range farm goods such as beef, while on the other hand, it pushed for market access for high value-added exports —like wine, Geographical Indications (GI) and cars— with mixed results.
“The EU has all the assets to be an agri-food power,” Luc Vernet, from the export-focused Brussels think tank Farm Europe, told EU News, adding: “We should develop a broader strategy beyond high value-added products, covering all sectors and all levels of quality, because the European model delivers exceptional quality not just in luxury products.”
Yet the opposition to the Latin America deal — which triggered a legal challenge suspending its ratification — crystallised among EU farmers over fears of unfair competition from meat imports.
The Mercosur agreement granted quotas of 99,000 tonnes of beef per year, 25,000 tonnes of pork and 188,000 tonnes of poultry. Despite conditions added to new quotas in the Australia deal, EU farmers complain of imports piling up across successive agreements.
Concessions made on beef
Over eight years of talks with Canberra—the world’s second-largest beef exporter—Australia pushed hard for greater access for beef and sheep meat. Tensions intensified in 2023, when negotiations broke down after the EU rejected Australia’s demand for 40,000 tonnes of beef per year, offering no more than 30,000 tonnes instead.
The final deal agreed Tuesday allows 30,600 tonnes of beef annually into the EU. For sheep and goat meat, Brussels accepted a 25,000-tonne duty-free quota, while sugar was limited to 35,000 tonnes of raw cane for refining and rice to 8,500 tonnes a year.
However, perhaps drawing lessons from Mercosur, Brussels imposed multiple conditions on the quotas. Beef imports, which will have to be from grass-fed cattle, will be phased in over 10 years, sheep meat over 7 years, and rice over 5 years. Sugar will also be subject to certification under a private sustainability scheme.
Safeguard clauses, allowing both sides to react to market disruption, will apply for seven years – but are extended for sensitive farm goods : 15 years for beef, 12 for sheep and 10 for rice.
But a farmers’ representative told EU News there were serious doubts about the effectiveness of the safeguard mechanisms: “Our experience in general with safeguards is that they are extremely difficult to activate because the burden of the proof is on us, farmers.”
The offensive agenda of the Commission
By contrast, agriculture was far less contentious in the India negotiations, where New Delhi itself resisted opening its market due to domestic farm sensitivities, particularly in dairy. EU sensitive products were largely excluded.
In negotiations with Australia, the EU again sought greater access for its wine but encountered strong opposition from domestic producers. In the end, the deal protects more than 1,600 EU wine GIs, plus over 50 new ones from 12 member states.
On Prosecco, Australian producers will still be allowed to use the term domestically to designate a grey grape variety, provided it is linked to Australian GI, with Canberra agreeing to stop exporting such wines after 10 years.
The EU also secured protection for 165 agri-food GIs and 231 spirit drink GIs. But it failed to remove Australia’s luxury car tax, securing instead preferential treatment for EU electric vehicles. But Brussels won improved access to critical raw materials – a key EU demand, that may have lead to more concessions on meat.
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