Irish Farmers Flood Streets, Decry EU "Sell Out" Trade Deal

Thousands of Irish farmers drove tractors into the streets of Athlone on Friday. They are protesting a new trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur. Mercosur is a bloc of South American nations. The protest happened one day after EU member states formally approved the agreement. Ireland and France had opposed the deal. Farmers held signs reading "Stop EU-Mercosur." Some displayed the EU flag with the word "sell out" across it. They fear the pact will allow cheaper imported food into Europe. This could threaten their livelihoods by lowering prices for their products. This action in Ireland follows similar recent farmer protests in Poland, France, and Belgium. The EU-Mercosur deal aims to increase trade between the regions by reducing tariffs.