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Protests are planned nationwide, including gatherings at
prefectures and traffic circles. One group blocked a highway
south of Paris on Sunday night with tractors, and scattered
actions have been held recently building up to this week's
protests.
The European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, composed of
Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, reached an
initial agreement in 2019, but negotiations stumbled due to
opposition from farmers and some European governments.
The new protests come amid fears the agreement could be
finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on Nov. 18-19, or in the
coming weeks. EU farm ministers are also meeting in Brussels on
Monday.
Leading the charge of the new protests are unions like FNSEA and
Young Farmers, who oppose provisions such as duty-free imports
of beef, poultry and sugar, which they say create unfair
competition. Coordination Rurale, a union linked to the far
right, has promised an “agricultural revolt,” including food
freight blockades beginning Tuesday in Auch and Agen, in
southwestern France.
Proponents of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement argue that it
would significantly boost economic ties between Europe and South
America by eliminating tariffs on European exports, notably for
machinery, chemicals and cars, thereby enhancing market access
and creating lucrative opportunities for European businesses.
Earlier this year, farmers staged protests across France and
elsewhere in Europe, blocking roads and buildings to protest EU
regulations and financial problems, demand fairer agricultural
policies and oppose the trade agreement.
French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has publicly opposed
the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing risks of deforestation
and health concerns linked to hormone-treated meat.
In an interview with TF1, she said: “We don’t want this
agreement because it’s harmful. It will bring in products,
including substances banned in Europe, at the cost of
deforestation. It will unfairly compete with our domestic
production.”
President Emmanuel Macron has also criticized the agreement
unless South American producers meet EU standards.
Farmers say they are further frustrated by a European Commission
audit that flagged hormone use in Brazilian beef exports. Their
demonstrations aim to pressure the French government and EU
officials to block or renegotiate the agreement.
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