Brexit up in the air but deal with Mercosur under threat

In a week when farmers and the food industry live in hope of avoiding the worst effects of Brexit, they can take encouragement from the increasing possibility that the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement will be rejected or substantially watered down.

The agreement must be ratified by all the parliaments of 27 or 28 (depending on Brexit) EU countries, and four South American countries, plus the European Parliament and Council.