France, Sept. 3 -- The European Commission has formally endorsed the long-debated trade agreement with the South American Mercosur trade bloc, hailing it as a chance to open up new markets for European exporters while promising fresh safeguards for farmers.

On Wednesday, Brussels signed off on the text - covering Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay - and attached a new "legal act" designed to shield "sensitive European products" from market disruption.

The Commission pledged to intervene swiftly if imports of beef, poultry, sugar or ethanol threaten to destabilise European producers.

However, resistance to the deal remains strongest in France, which has long been at the forefront of opposition to the agreement.

Paris has warned th...