Several thousand Irish farmers protest against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement

Several thousand Irish farmers staged a protest on Saturday against the European Union's (EU's) trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur.

The protest comes a day after EU countries approved the massive but controversial deal.

Farmers with tractors drove into the city of Athlone in central Ireland, some carrying placards reading "Stop EU-MERCOSUR" and Community flags reading "sell-out".

On Friday, farmers staged protests in Poland and blocked roads in France and Belgium after the EU gave the green light to a controversial trade deal.

The agreement, more than 25 years in the making, is seen by its supporters as essential to boosting exports, supporting the continent's flagging economy and strengthening diplomatic ties at a time of global uncertainty.

The agreement is expected to boost trade between EU members and the Mercosur bloc, which includes Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay.

Mercosur's main exports to the EU will be agricultural products and minerals, while Community members will export machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the agreement allows for the elimination of import tariffs on more than 90% of products.

But many European farmers fear that the goods they grow and supply will be outcompeted by cheaper products from agricultural giants such as Brazil and neighbouring countries. On Friday, Ireland, France, Poland, Hungary and Austria voted against the deal.

Irish farmers oppose the deal, fearing it will bring in 99,000 tonnes of cheap South American beef and disrupt the country's agricultural sector.

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), the country's main farmers' lobby group, called the decision disappointing.

IFA said it would focus again on securing a majority in the European Parliament (EP) to oppose the trade deal.