Thousands of farmers in Ireland are protesting against the EU-Mercosur agreement, fearing cheaper imports that would affect local agriculture.

On Saturday, thousands of Irish farmers gathered in Athlone to protest against the recently approved free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. Farmers are concerned about the impact of cheaper imports on local agriculture, expressing their dissatisfaction through placards calling for support for Irish agriculture. The Irish government, similar to those in France, Hungary, Poland, and Austria, opposed this agreement, and Poland intends to challenge its legality.

The agreement, which would create one of the largest free trade areas in the world, is criticized for the risks it poses to European agriculture, especially through the influx of products that do not meet environmental standards. The main agricultural union in Ireland, the Irish Farmers Association, condemned the approval of the agreement as "very disappointing" and called on lawmakers to oppose it. The Irish Deputy Prime Minister promised that the government would continue to express its concerns regarding this agreement.