known as the eu—mercosur trade deal, it would reduce tariffs and other trade barriers between the euay, creating a market of around 700 million consumers. but it's already been 2a years in the making and faces steep opposition from countries like france and poland, who are worried by a potential flood of agricultural products hitting their own producers. joining me now is stefan legge, economist at st gallen university. how significant what a deal be for trade between the two sides of a market of 700 million people, and which parts in that market would gain the most? i would look at this potential deal from two perspectives, would look at this potential dealfrom two perspectives, one is this perspective of international trade and he would create a large market of 700 million people and reduce barriers between the european union and the other countries, so in general it would certainly be an opportunity for both sides to have better access to an important market. the european union would like to have south american countries as a destination especially if exports to china and the us b

eu—mercosur will bring meaningful benefits to consumers and businesses on both sides.es. it's opposed by countries including france, poland and italy, where farmers fear being undercut by cheap agricultural imports. young belgian farmers staged border blockades on thursday in protest at the deal. there've been similar blockades by french farmers in recent weeks. environmental campaigners also oppose the deal, warning it'll accelerate deforestation in the amazon. it's a really tragic day for nature and climate. it's been 25 years of negotiations behind closed doors with public concerns being sidelined over and over again, and what we see is an agreement that results which will increase the flow of beef and pesticides all across the world. and it's going to be really a disaster for the amazon rainforest and for the climate. italian farmers are also opposing this deal. we can speak to one of them. massimiliano giansanti is president of confagri coltura, which represents farmers across italy. and you also run farms in rome and parma. welcome to bbc news. the list while you

mercosur countries, argentina, paraguay and uruguay. this huge trading deal would cover 780 million people. the biggest trading deal the eu countries have ever signed. this could have very large economic ramifications. there are many countries within the eu that are happy to have this happen, particularly the germans. i sat down with the german finance minister on friday and he told me this about the deal. >> it is part of this strategy of de-risking from china and diversifying, so from a geopolitical perspective, it would be hugely important to send this signal of cooperation to the merck & co. sewer -- mercosur countries. >> opening up geopolitical trade relations with germany very focused because of the deterioration but donald trump coming into office if they slap tariffs, you have a greater number of countries you can trade with, that insulates you to a certain degree, there is a lot of concern around the agricultural sector, the french objected to this, this deal is still blockable, all you need is four eu countries that account for 35% of the eu population trade france will vote against it trade this will stand or

european farmers have consistently protested against the eu, mercosur deal, arguing it could lead to cheap imports of south american food, especially beef, which they do not. they claim does not meet the eu's environmental and food safety standards. and to end the princess of wales has made a rare public appearance with her family at westminster abbey for her annual christmas carol service this evening. the royal couple walked into the historic abbey where they married in 2011 with their children, who stopped at the kindness tree to hang messages in dedication to someone who has supported them dunng someone who has supported them during their lives. this year's together at christmas event celebrates love and empathy, with 1600 guests invited in a message sent ahead of the service, kate said that christmas is a moment of celebration and joy, as well as an opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. those are the latest gb news headlines. for now, i'm sophia hill. i'll be back in an hour, but now it's back to mark for the very latest gb news direct to

european farmers have consistently protested against the eu, mercosur deal, arguing it could lead to cheap imports of south and south american foods, especially beef, which they claim does not meet the eu's environmental and food safety standards . and the safety standards. and the princess of wales has made a rare public appearance with her family at westminster abbey for her annual christmas carol service this evening, her annual christmas carol service this evening , the royal service this evening, the royal couple walked into the historic abbey where they married in 2011 with their children, who stopped at the kindness tree to hang messages on its branches in dedication to someone who has supported them during their lives. prince louis left a touching christmas message to his grandparents inspired by his mother's festive celebration. this is the fourth time the princess has hosted the event in celebration of the positive qualities found in many and to bnng qualities found in many and to bring festive cheer to the caphal bring festive cheer to the capital. those are the latest gb n

european farmers have consistently protested against the eu mercosur deal, arguing it could lead to cheap imports of south american foods , especially south american foods, especially beef, which they claim does not meet the eu's environmental and food safety standards . and the food safety standards. and the princess of wales has had a rare has made a rare public appearance with her family at westminster abbey for her annual christmas carol service this evening. the royal couple walked into the historic abbey where they married in 2011 with their children, who stopped at the kindness tree to hang messages on its branches in dedication to someone who has supported them dunng someone who has supported them during their lives. this year's together at christmas event celebrates love and empathy, with 1600 guests invited in. a message sent ahead of the service. kate said christmas is a moment of celebration and joy, as well as an opportunity to slow down and reflect on things that connect us all. those are the latest gb news headlines for now. i'm still more in an hour for the very latest gb

european farmers have consistently protested against the eu mercosur deal, arguing it could lead to cheaports of south american food, particularly beef, which they claim does not meet the eu's environmental and food safety standards , and the food safety standards, and the princess of wales has arrived at westminster abbey ahead of the start of her annual christmas service this evening. princess kate was joined by her husband and children, with the young royals stopping at the kindness tree outside the abbey to hang messages in dedication to someone who has supported them dunng someone who has supported them during their lives. this year's together at christmas event celebrates love and empathy, with 1600 guests invited in. a message sent ahead of the service. kate said christmas is a moment of celebration and joy, as well as an opportunity to slow down and reflect on the things that connect us all. those are the latest gb news headunes those are the latest gb news headlines for now , i'm sphere headlines for now, i'm sphere hill. i'll be back in an hour, but for now it's back to miriam f

european farmers have consistently protested against the eu, mercosur deal, arguing it could lead to cheap imports of south american food, especially beef, which they do not. they claim does not meet the eu's environmental and food safety standards. and to end the princess of wales has made a rare public appearance with her family at westminster abbey for her annual christmas carol service this evening. the royal couple walked into the historic abbey where they married in 2011 with their children, who stopped at the kindness tree to hang messages in dedication to someone who has supported them dunng someone who has supported them during their lives. this year's together at christmas event celebrates love and empathy, with 1600 guests invited in a message sent ahead of the service, kate said that christmas is a moment of celebration and joy, as well as an opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. those are the latest gb news headlines. for now, i'm sophia hill. i'll be back in an hour, but now it's back to mark for the very latest gb news direct to

the european commission president is in uraguay for talks on the so—called eu—mercosur deal.and has written a book on the deal. more than qualified to tell us what this is all about. remind our viewers what this deal presents for both europe and the south american nations. good morning. thank you for having me. this agreement, economically, will benefit both regions. on the mercosur side, it will help to trade in a cheaper manner in relation to the trade between european union countries will allow the export of something along the lines of 99 tonnes of beef starting at 7.5%. in relation to poultry, around 180,000 tonnes will enter the european union duty—free. on the european union side, the main benefits will go to countries like germany because they will be able to export 2 south american countries carts and parts of carts to new countries without the tariff which is quite high. for pharmaceuticals, they will be allowed to export products with, again, reduced tariffs. so you can see why, for europe, they are keen on this trade deal — especially when trade relations with the

european farmers have consistently protested against the eu mercosur deal, arguing it could lead to cheaports of south american foods, especially beef, which they claim does not meet the eu's environmental and food safety standards . and the food safety standards. and the princess of wales has made a rare public appearance with her family at westminster abbey for the annual christmas carol service this evening. the royal couple walked into the historic abbey where they married in 2011 with their children, who stopped at their kindness tree to hang messages on its branches in dedication to someone that has supported them during their lives. prince louis left a touching christmas message to his grandparents , inspired by his grandparents, inspired by his grandparents, inspired by his mother's festive celebration . his mother's festive celebration. this is the fourth time the princess has hosted the event in celebration of the positive qualities found in many and to bnng qualities found in many and to bring cheer to the capital and associated events around the country . those are the latest