The result of a "pivotal vote" in the European Parliament validates the "rightful concerns" of EU farmers on the Mercosur trade deal, according to Copa Cogeca.

The umbrella group representing European farmers and agri-cooperatives said the vote in the parliament today (Wednesday, January 21) to refer the agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) "clearly shows how divisive this agreement is".

The motion, requested by over 100 MEPs, will seek legal advice on whether both elements of the deal comply with the Treaties of the EU.

The outcome of the vote was very close with 334 MEPs in favour and 324 against.

Agriland understand that it could now take from 18-24 months for the relevant legal advice to be provided by the CJEU.

Copa Cogeca

Copa Cogeca said today's vote shows that the "arguments put forward by the farming community, which just want fairness, have made sense to a lot of MEPs across national and political lines".

"European farmers and agri-cooperatives are the first to pay for geopolitical upheavals and unrest.

"Trade policy cannot continue to reward lower standards while European farmers are asked to do more with less," the group said.

Copa Cogeca reiterated that the "current global uncertainty is an additional reason for the EU to invest in and protect a sector that lies at the very foundation of the European project".

The group was among 6,000 farmers who protested against the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday.

The protest, which also included 1,000 tractors, was organised by France's largest farming union FNSEA to conicide with the plenary (full) meeting of the parliament.