A VOTE ON the Mercosur deal is unlikely to be held this week, despite EU leaders – backed by Germany – insisting it must be signed by the end of the year.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said that the deal has been mooted for more than two decades, but has yet to be adopted because of the detrimental effects will most likely have on beef farmers of Ireland and other countries.

“I got a sense last week that a vote this week was less likely, so that’ll probably push it into the new year,” he said this morning.

Heydon said he “wouldn’t assume” the deal is dead because many countries are still pushing for it.

“Trade deals have many pros and cons and trade deals have generally benefitted Ireland and benefitted Europe well,” he said.

“In the context of the trade pressures and the tariff pressures in America, there is a real desire to do this trade deal.”

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen is planning to go to Brazil on Saturday to sign the agreement which, after 20 years in the making, would create the world’s biggest free-trade area between Europe and South American countries.

However, she first needs approval from the EU’s member states, and heavyweight France has requested a delay until 2026, saying its conditions to pass the deal are not yet met.

The deal would allow the EU to export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America, while facilitating the entry of South American beef, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans into Europe.

Fearing fallout for its agricultural sector, France has been clamouring for robust safeguard clauses, tighter import controls and more stringent standards for Mercosur producers.

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President Emmanuel Macron today reiterated to EU leaders that the Mercosur deal also wouldn’t work for his country.

“The president made it very clear to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa [late on Monday] that the deal doesn’t add up in terms of protection for French farmers,” an Elysee official said.

With reporting by AFP