European farmers protest EU-Mercosur trade dealDEMONSTRATION: Many European farmers fear their livelihoods would be undercut by a flow of cheaper goods from Latin American countries if the deal passesAFP, ATHLONE, IrelandThousands of farmers in Ireland and France on Saturday protested against the EU’s trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur, a day after EU states approved the treaty despite opposition from some members. The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Ireland’s main farmers’ lobby group, called the result “very disappointing.”It said it would “renew” focus on securing a majority against the deal in the European Parliament. Farmers on Friday also marched in Poland, and blocked roads in France and Belgium as the EU gave the green light to the trade deal. While the accord has been welcomed by business groups, European farmers have bitterly criticized it. Many European farmers fear their livelihoods would be undercut by a flow of cheaper goods from agricultural giant Brazil and its neighbors.

Source: Taipei Times January 11, 2026 17:36 UTC