Thousands of farmers from all over Ireland will converge on the Midlands today, Saturday, for a mass protest over the EU's approval of the controversial Mercosur trade deal. The protestors are determined to continue fighting against a deal that will see an influx of South American beef into the EU, including to Irish shelves. However, farmers and others argue it will distort agricultural markets if EU farmers are forced to compete with lower-cost South American beef. Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion described the European Council’s decision to back the deal as being “bad for Irish farmers, the environment, and public health”. Ms Funchion said it would force Irish farmers into “unfair competition” with Mercosur ranchers, who “produce under far less strict regulation”.

Source: Irish Examiner January 10, 2026 14:10 UTC