The European Union has given temporary approval for a big trade deal. This agreement is with Mercosur countries: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Many EU member states voted for it on Friday. However, many European farmers are unhappy. They are protesting because they worry about unfair competition. They also fear that farming rules might become weaker.
This new deal aims to create a very large free trade area. It will remove taxes on many products. Mercosur countries will likely pay less tax on farm goods and minerals sent to the EU. The EU expects to sell more machines, chemicals, and medicines to Mercosur. Still, many EU farmers feel their businesses are at risk. They are worried about European food production.
Thousands of Irish farmers protested with their tractors on Saturday. They held signs saying "Stop EU-Mercosur." They believe the deal will hurt their jobs. Their main worry is that EU farming rules are much stricter. Mercosur countries have fewer rules for the environment and animal welfare. Farmers say this makes it hard for them to compete.
Farmers in Cyprus also share these worries. They fear that goods from Mercosur might use more pesticides. They also worry about genetically modified products. This could be bad for people's health. It might also harm their farming business. A farming leader said the limits on imports will not work.
Ireland's beef industry is especially concerned. It is thought that the EU could get a lot more cheap beef each year. This worries Irish farmers greatly. The Irish Farmers' Association called the decision "very disappointing." They fear the deal could affect food safety. It might also make farming in Europe too expensive to continue.
Some countries like Ireland, France, Poland, Hungary, and Austria voted against the deal. However, their votes were not enough. The agreement was approved for now. This shows how difficult it is to balance trade with farmers' concerns. The future of farming and food quality in Europe will be discussed a lot.