Farmers protested outside the European Council against the Mercosur agreement, claiming it would harm European agriculture. COGECA's president, Lennart Nilsson, emphasized the need for reciprocity in production standards. The agreement, signed after 25 years of negotiations, aims to create a free trade area between the EU and Mercosur countries, with significant changes including environmental commitments and a €1 billion reserve for farmers. However, opposition remains from France and other countries, complicating the agreement's ratification process.