Spanish Farmers Protest EU Deal

Farmers in Spain stage a protest against a trade agreement between the European Union and Latin American countries, known as the EU-Mercosur deal. They worry, large imports from Latin American countries could create unfair competition within the EU.

Hundreds of farmers gathered in Spain's capital, Madrid, to voice their concerns over the recently agreed EU-Mercosur deal. They claim the agreement will create inequality, as it will allow for massive imports from Latin America to compete with the local produce in Europe.

The agreement between the EU and Latin America includes, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, and could allow up to 99,000 tons of beef and up to a million tons of maize, among others, to be imported into Europe. It was announced by the European Commissions president, Ursula Von Der Leyen, who says it will create opportunities within Europe.

The trade agreement, however, is just the start of a lengthy process. It still needs to be legalized, translated and then approved by member nations, and could even be blocked, with France being strongly against the deal.

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