Mercosur Deal Gets Boost After Lawmakers Back Farmer Protections

The European Parliament approved measures to protect European farmers under a potential trade deal with South American countries, a key technical step needed to finalize the landmark pact.

Lawmakers greenlit the so-called safeguards during a vote on Tuesday. The measures will shield local agrifood companies from sudden swings in imports or prices — a step meant to address concerns that France, Italy and others raised about the trade agreement, the EU’s largest ever.