Thousands of Irish farmers protested against the agreement with Mercosur
Thousands of Irish farmers protested on Saturday against the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries, which they believe threatens European agriculture.
At the protest, which many attended by tractor, concerns were raised that cheap food from South America would flood the market and threaten the viability of small family farms. The Irish government, under pressure from the opposition and its own coalition partners, criticized the agreement for its allegedly weak safety standards for imported products.
Protesters carried banners reading "Don't sacrifice family farms for German cars" and "Our cows follow the rules, why don't theirs?".
The protest in Athlone followed similar actions in France, Belgium, and Poland. Although Ireland is a small exporter, its meat and dairy sector employs thousands of people. Final approval of the agreement depends on the European Parliament—and Ireland promises to oppose it alongside France.
(reuters, mja)