The ratification of the EU-Mercosur trade deal could be delayed for up to two years following a vote by the European Parliament on Wednesday.

MEPs voted to refer the Mercosur trade deal to the European Court of Justice for an opinion, a move which delays the deal coming into effect.

The result of the tight vote, with 334 MEPs in favour of the motion and 324 against and 11 abstentions, was welcomed by farm organisations in the EU. IFA president Francie Gorman said that the decision was the right one, adding that MEPs had been lobbied “morning, noon and night” and that had worked.

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A final vote on the deal in the parliament will now only come after the opinion is returned from the EU court. The court typically takes up to two years to deliver such opinions, and its findings could force changes to the agreement if it is found to be incompatible with EU law.

Leaders of Mercosur countries had already expressed frustration at how long the ratification process was taking. This latest delay could mean they walk away from the agreement.

The deal had been passed by a EU member state vote earlier this month, with Ireland one of five nations voting against it. It was signed by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Paraguay on Saturday.

Supporters of the deal say it will eliminate tariffs on 90% of trade. They also argued the deal is essential to offset business lost to US tariffs and to reduce reliance on China by securing access to critical minerals.