Ireland outvoted as EU gives green light to Mercosur free trade agreement

Ireland and France opposed the Mercosur agreement, warning it threatens farmers, food standards and the environment despite EU approval

Farmers’ wellies in a pile at the gates of Leinster House during a demonstration against the Mercosur deal. File picture: Michelle Devane/PA Wire

EU ambassadors have given provisional approval on Friday to the signing of the bloc's largest ever free trade accord with South American group Mercosur, over 25 years since negotiations began and after months of wrangling to secure key member states' backing, according to three EU diplomats and sources.

The European Commission, which concluded negotiations a year ago, and countries such as Germany and Spain argue it is a vital part of an EU push to unlock new markets to offset business lost from US tariffs and to reduce reliance on China by securing access to critical minerals.