North west farmers protest against Mercosur deal

Farmers across the north west were among those who gathered outside Leinster House this afternoon against the potential ratification of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. Among the details in the agreement would see 99,000 tonnes of South American beef allowed into the European market every year. It is understood that the European Commission is planning to finalise the trade-deal in mid-November during the G20 summit in Brazil. Sligo-Leitrim Deputy Marian Harkin spoke with those who attended the protest and feels the proposed agreement will have detrimental impacts on livelihoods in the north west.