EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: Farmers in Brussels have blocked major streets in protest against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, with the demonstrations gaining momentum as agricultural groups across Europe express fears that the agreement could undermine local farming standards and livelihoods. 

EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: Anti-Mercosur Protests Gain Momentum in Brussels 

Negotiators from the European Union and South America finished two days of negotiations on trade, reporting "significant progress" on the contentious issues holding up the long-anticipated EU-Mercosur accord, according to two sources close to the negotiations.

Sources say that it now looks likely that negotiations on this issue may be concluded positively before the end of the year. The meeting marked the first face-to-face talks since April.

"The round of negotiations went very well. There was significant progress in the areas of the environment and government procurement," said a source at the Brazilian foreign ministry, where the talks were held.

"A new round of negotiations should take place in a few weeks," the official added.

Eleven governments of the EU, in a letter to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen this week, asked for a swift conclusion of the 25-year-in-the-making trade deal.

"It is now urgent to secure the progress reached so far and close the negotiations," the letter seen by Reuters said. "We believe that all elements are in place to allow for a rapid conclusion of negotiations by the end of 2024," the prime ministers of Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic wrote.

Mercosur groups Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and more recently Bolivia, in a market that is a much-wanted destination for EU manufacturing exporters, although European farmers, notably in France, fear the competition it would bring.

The deal was concluded in 2019, but its ratification has been held up by EU demands for commitments on Amazon deforestation and climate change.

In January, during protests by French farmers, French President Emmanuel Macron again reiterated his hostility toward the deal, citing environmental concerns and what he described as unfair competition faced by farmers.&nbsp;

The main French farmers' union, the FNSEA, said on Friday that it was against reopening negotiations because the EU-Mercosur deal would heighten competition for beef, poultry, rice, sugar, and ethanol producers.

"European agriculture should not be sacrificed in order to conclude international trade accords. On the contrary, agriculture should be protected and considered one of the main strategic European sectors," the union said in a statement.

With the European election over, now is the time to finalise the deal, the 11 prime ministers said in their letter.

"The agreement will create a free trade area encompassing more than 700 million people, creating enormous opportunities for European businesses and workers in markets which have been relatively closed up until now," the letter said.

Negotiators from the European Union and South America finished two days of negotiations on trade, reporting "significant progress" on the contentious issues holding up the long-anticipated EU-Mercosur accord, according to two sources close to the negotiations.

Negotiators from the European Union and South America finished two days of negotiations on trade, reporting "significant progress" on the contentious issues holding up the long-anticipated EU-Mercosur accord, according to two sources close to the negotiations. Sources say that it now looks likely that negotiations on this issue may be concluded positively before the end of the year. The meeting marked the first face-to-face talks since April. "The round of negotiations went very well. There was significant progress in the areas of the environment and government procurement," said a source at the Brazilian foreign ministry, where the talks were held. "A new round of negotiations should take place in a few weeks," the official added. Eleven governments of the EU, in a letter to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen this week, asked for a swift conclusion of the 25-year-in-the-making trade deal. "It is now urgent to secure the progress reached so far and close the negotiations," the letter seen by Reuters said. "We believe that all elements are in place to allow for a rapid conclusion of negotiations by the end of 2024," the prime ministers of Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic wrote. Mercosur groups Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and more recently Bolivia, in a market that is a much-wanted destination for EU manufacturing exporters, although European farmers, notably in France, fear the competition it would bring. The deal was concluded in 2019, but its ratification has been held up by EU demands for commitments on Amazon deforestation and climate change. In January, during protests by French farmers, French President Emmanuel Macron again reiterated his hostility toward the deal, citing environmental concerns and what he described as unfair competition faced by farmers. The main French farmers' union, the FNSEA, said on Friday that it was against reopening negotiations because the EU-Mercosur deal would heighten competition for beef, poultry, rice, sugar, and ethanol producers. "European agriculture should not be sacrificed in order to conclude international trade accords. On the contrary, agriculture should be protected and considered one of the main strategic European sectors," the union said in a statement. With the European election over, now is the time to finalise the deal, the 11 prime ministers said in their letter. "The agreement will create a free trade area encompassing more than 700 million people, creating enormous opportunities for European businesses and workers in markets which have been relatively closed up until now," the letter said.

Sources indicate progress in EU-Mercosur trade negotiations on contentious issues

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-calls-for-protection-of-amazon-rainforest-says-cant-afford-more-damage-to-source-of-oxygen-245080"> fires ravaging the Amazon</a>, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

"I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement.

"There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments."&nbsp;

Varadkar added Ireland "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-calls-for-free-stable-trade-environment-warns-of-slowing-global-economy-231600">will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions</a>" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal.

Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product.

He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs.

Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests.

Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year the highest number for any year since 2013.&nbsp;

The majority of the fires were in the Amazon.

Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region.

According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018.

Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned".

"Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter.&nbsp;

In Ireland Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers.

They fear their sector already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday. "I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement. "There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments." Varadkar added Ireland "will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal. Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product. He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs. Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests. Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year the highest number for any year since 2013. The majority of the fires were in the Amazon. Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region. According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018. Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires. French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned". "Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter. In Ireland Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers. They fear their sector already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Ireland may withold EU-Mercosur deal support over Amazon fires: PM

The European Union and South American bloc Mercosur agreed a free-trade treaty on Friday, June 26. Watch this video to know more.

EU-Mercosur trade deal: Two decades of talks over

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EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: Anti-Mercosur Protests Gain Momentum in Brussels

Sources indicate progress in EU-Mercosur trade negotiations on contentious issues

Ireland may withold EU-Mercosur deal support over Amazon fires: PM

EU-Mercosur trade deal: Two decades of talks over