The European Commission has ruled that a controversial EU-Canada free trade deal - CETA - cannot be renegotiated, despite much opposition in Europe, according to BBC News.

"CETA is done and we will not reopen it," said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom.

Malmstrom was speaking as EU trade ministers met in Slovakia to discuss CETA and a similar deal with the US, TTIP, which has also faced criticism.

A draft CETA deal has been agreed, but parliaments could still delay it.

Thousands of activists protested against CETA and TTIP in Germany on Saturday, September 24 and thousands more in Brussels - outside the EU's headquarters - on Tuesday.

Activists fear that the deals could water down European standards in the key areas of workers' rights, public health and the environment.