The EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur are working to finalize a trade deal that has been in negotiation for over 20 years.

Poland opposes the EU-Mercosur free trade deal with South American countries in its current form, the prime minister said on Tuesday, joining France in standing against an agreement European farmers say will expose them to unfair competition.

The French giant has come out in support of farmers to block the prospect of meat imports from the South America bloc.

French farmers protested in Strasbourg on Tuesday against an EU-Mercosur trade deal as they fear it would create unfair competition for them.

Poland is looking to join forces with France and Italy to block a trade deal between the European Union and Latin America’s Mercosur bloc that’s been a quarter of a century in the making.

In a united appeal from across the Atlantic, 78 business associations representing various industries in the European Union (EU) and Mercosur have urged their respective governments to fast track the finalisation of the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

A trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries, which includes a significant section on agriculture, has triggered protests from EU farmers who argue farm imports from South America do not meet European standards.

Citing "concern" for his country's farmers and food security, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his government "will not accept" the prospective free trade deal between the European Union and