Irish farmers rally against EU-Mercosur trade deal
Tractor protest warns of risks to beef and dairy sector
12 January 2026
1 minute read
By: Thousands of Irish farmers, many of whom travelled across the country on tractors, protested on Saturday against the European Union's Mercosur trade deal after a majority of EU states gave a provisional go-ahead for its largest ever free-trade accord, reported Reuters.
Opponents led by France, the EU's largest agricultural producer, failed to convince enough fellow member states on Friday that the deal with South American nations would flood the market with cheap food products and undercut domestic farmers.
Under pressure from opposition parties, farming groups and members of its own coalition, the Irish government argued the deal lacks safeguards on what it says are weaker food safety standards in South America.
"It's an absolute disgrace on behalf of the farmers and people that have put Europe where it is today," said Joe Keogh, a farmer from the central village of Multyfarnham at the protest in the nearby town of Athlone.
"It's going to close down the whole countryside."
Protesters held placards reading "Don’t sacrifice family farms for German cars", "Our cows follow the rules, why don’t theirs", and "Sell out".
The demonstration, large by Irish standards, followed similar protests in Poland, France and Belgium on Friday.
While Ireland is a small exporting nation that aims to diversify away from its reliance on the US market, it has large beef and dairy industries that are major employers.
Opponents of the deal have secured some concessions and compensation for EU farmers.
The European Parliament must approve the accord before it can take effect, and like France, Ireland has pledged to fight for its rejection in what could be a tight vote.
"The Irish farmer is at great risk as it is. We're a small country, we don't have large farmers and farmers struggle to make an income from the farm as it is," said Niamh O'Brien, a farmer who travelled from the western town of Athenry.
"But also it's about the quality of the food we are eating. It has severe implications for both the farmer and for the consumer."
