Italy won't OK EU-Mercosur deal without farmer safeguards

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 6 - Sources at Premier Giorgia Meloni's office have said that Italy will not sign the EU-Mercosur trade deal unless it features stronger safeguards for European farmers.
    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is Montevideo for talks with South American leaders at a summit of Mercosur, which features Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay "In confirming that the deepening of relations with the Mercosur countries must continue to be a strategic priority, both politically, economically and in industrial terms, for the EU and for Italy, the Italian government believes that the conditions for signing the current text do not exist," the sources said.
    "The signing of the EU-MERCOSUR Association Agreement can only take place on condition of adequate safeguards and compensation in the event of imbalances for the agricultural sector".
    France has also come out against the agreement as it stands.
    (ANSA).