The EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur are working to finalize a trade deal that has been in negotiation for over 20 years.

Poland opposes the EU-Mercosur free trade deal with South American countries in its current form, the prime minister said on Tuesday, joining France in standing against an agreement European farmers say will expose them to unfair competition.

While Germany and Spain strongly endorse the Mercosur deal, France is trying to rally a blocking minority to halt the agreement. It is hopeful that Italy, Austria, Poland and the Netherlands will join Paris.

In a united appeal from across the Atlantic, 78 business associations representing various industries in the European Union (EU) and Mercosur have urged their respective governments to fast track the finalisation of the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA).