Thousands of farmers protest EU, Mercosur trade deal ahead of vote

The deal inked earlier this month between the 27-nation European Union and Mercosur bloc members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay creates one of the world's largest free trade areas after 25 years of tricky negotiations. But the 4,500 farmers and their supporters from France, Italy, Belgium and Poland protesting Tuesday, according to police estimates, fear it will cause an influx of cheaper goods produced with lower standards and banned pesticides. "This free trade may, in some cases, open...