Setback for EU’s Mercosur trade deal

Parliaments have already indicated their opposition to the deal in its current form.

Farmers protesting outside Leinster House last year in protest at the Mercosur Deal which farmers claim will be the final nail in the coffin for their way of life. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Five environmental and human rights organisations have put yet another obstacle in the way of a Mercosur-EU trade deal, with EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly opening an inquiry after the five civil society organisations complained that the EU Commission did not produce an updated sustainability impact assessment before an agreement was reached in the trade negotiations in June 2019.

The enquiry findings could be crucial in determining the approval of the Mercosur deal by the 27 EU countries.