French farmers mobilise nationwide to protest EU-Mercosur trade deal

Farmers across France have mobilised for widespread protests against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which they argue would increase South American agricultural imports and threaten their livelihoods.

The European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia, reached an agreement in 2019. However, negotiations were halted due to strong opposition from farmers and several European governments, particularly France.

Earlier this year, farmers staged protests across Europe, blocking roads and buildings to demand fairer agricultural policies, oppose EU regulations and the trade deal.

Dozens of tractors spent the night on the N118 freeway artery towards Paris near Vélizy-Villacoublay, blocking both lanes, with the blockade only lifted by midday.

Other demonstrations are taking place in the Var, Vaucluse, and several departments in the west and southwest of France, as well as in eastern France, near Strasbourg.

In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, roadblocks are planned for Monday afternoon near Grenoble.

In Lyon, farmers have spent the week covering signs in areas on the outskirts of the city. On Monday morning, a delegation gathered on a bridge in the south of Lyon to remove all the signs on the ground and invited Rhône deputies to join them for discussions.

Farmers say trade agreement is threat to their livelihoods

The EU-Mercosur agreement aims to boost trade between the EU and South American economies by gradually removing trade barriers, customs duties, and standardising regulations.

However, French farmers argue that the deal would create unfair competition with large South American farms, which have much lower production costs and face fewer regulations. Proponents of the agreement, on the other hand, believe it would strengthen economic ties between Europe and South America.

They are therefore calling for the introduction of ‘mirror clauses,’ which would impose the same environmental and health standards on imports as those applied in France to safeguard the industry.

French President Emmanuel Macron has criticised the agreement, insisting that South American producers must meet EU standards.

On his way to Brazil for the G20 summit, he met with Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires and stated, “France will not sign this Mercosur treaty as it stands.”

But France’s hands might be tied, and many fear a partial agreement could be reached, given the country does not hold veto power.