"No No No to Mercosur", a chant that echoed across the campus of Technological University of Shannon (TUS) in Athlone, Co. Westmeath today (Saturday, January 10) as more than 10,000 farmers and supporters congregated to demonstrate their opposition to the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement.

The mammoth event was organised by Independent Ireland, primarily led by MEP Ciaran Mullooly and TD Michael Fitzmaurice, but it was the first time in a very long time that so many farm organisations and groups and politicians from across the spectrum united with one voice to shout down what they termed a "rotten stinking deal" for Irish farmers.