Mercosur is signed, but the anger among Irish farmers is only beginning

As the EU’s largest trade deal moves towards ratification, Irish farmers warn Mercosur threatens beef prices, standards and livelihoods

A truck sporting a banner in Italian that reads, "Mercusur, the tomb of made in Italy" during a farmers' protest against the Mercosur deal in Milan, Italy, on Friday. Photo: AP/Claudio Furlan/LaPresse

TENS OF thousands of Irish farmers arrive in Athlone today to protest the passing of the Mercosur agreement, the landmark trade deal between Europe and South America.

They join their colleagues across Europe who must now wait to judge the impact of the agreement.