What way the Government votes on the controversial Mercosur trade deal has to be seen “in the round” and take account of separate leeway the State was recently given on EU nitrates rules, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Quick compromise on farm protections puts the Latin America deal in EU leaders’ court as they convene for summit.

UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA has said that the Mercosur deal could severely disadvantage Northern Ireland’s farmers.