Farmers protest EU-Mercosur trade deal ahead of parliamentary vote

About 4,500 farmers and supporters gathered at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to protest the recently signed EU-Mercosur trade deal, and MEPs will vote on Wednesday on whether to refer the agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Thousands of farmers and supporters gathered at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement signed earlier this month. Protesters came from several EU countries and expressed concern about lower production and environmental standards in some Mercosur exports. MEPs are scheduled to vote on Wednesday on whether to refer the deal to the Court of Justice of the European Union for a compatibility review. Final approval of the treaty is not expected for several months. Key facts: - Police estimated about 4,500 protesters, including farmers from France, Italy, Belgium and Poland. - Demonstrators expressed concerns about possible imports produced to different standards and the use of pesticides. - MEPs will vote on whether to refer the agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union; a court review could lead to amendments. - The treaty would eliminate tariffs on more than 90% of bilateral trade and is expected to take effect by the end of the year, with EU estimates projecting higher exports to Mercosur and GDP gains by 2040. Summary: The demonstrations reflect farmers' concerns about standards and market effects linked to the EU-Mercosur deal. The immediate procedural step is Wednesday's vote by MEPs on referring the agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union, and a court ruling could require changes. Final ratification and implementation remain pending and are expected to take additional time.