Thousands of farmers demonstrated in Athlone on Saturday, moving in with tractors to cover the streets in protest against the recently approved trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. The agricultural sector fears that the import of 99,000 tons of South American meat will devastate European production and undermine local livelihoods. The Irish Farmers’ Association has called on members of parliament to reject the treaty, urging protection of the national countryside and opposition to the deal with Mercosur. <br /><br />#teleSUREnglish #Ireland #Mercosur #Farmers #Protests #Agriculture<br />
