Farmers balk at prospect of EU-Mercosur free trade deal

The trade agreement could get the green light next week's G20 summit in Brazil, but the prospect has triggered discontent among farmers.

Transcript

00:00European farmers took to streets in Brussels to protest against the free trade agreement

00:08between the European Union and Mercosur. Signed in 2019, this free trade agreement between

00:16the EU and five Latin American countries that has never been implemented could finally get

00:21a green light next week at the G20 summit in Brazil.

00:26Opponents believe that its adoption would create unfair competition for European agriculture.

00:53Opponents of the agreement also fear social, health and environmental consequences, such

00:58as increased deforestation for livestock farming.

01:22This agreement aims to increase trade in goods and services between the EU and Latin

01:27American economies through the gradual removal of trade barriers and tariffs, and the standardization

01:32of conditions and regulations.

01:52Member states have been fighting over this for 25 years, while Germany, Spain and Italy

02:17campaign in favor, France, Poland and Austria are directly opposed to it.