The European Union and four Latin American countries are preparing for a final push to clinch a controversial free trade deal that has been under discussion for 25 years. Backed by Germany and Spain,

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he hoped a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc would be signed by the end of this year, even as it faced opposition,

The deal has been 25 years in the making and it aims to create one of the largest free trade zones in the world - but farmers in Europe are heavily opposed to sealing it, saying that they cannot compete with South American livestock producers.

In addition to Paris and Warsaw, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands are also concerned about the free-trade agreement's impact on their agricultural sectors. Yet, at this stage, they have not all committed themselves.

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.