EU could approve Mercosur deal by summer, agriculture chief says

BRUSSELS, June 5 (Reuters) - The European Union could approve its planned trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur before summer, but has not yet fixed a date to do so, EU agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen told Reuters on Thursday.

"It could be before summer," Hansen said in an interview.

EU countries still need to approve the deal, which was finalised in December, but has faced opposition from countries including France, which argues the pact would hurt European farmers who face stricter norms and regulations than their South American peers.