French farmers, led by the FNSEA, are planning nationwide protests in mid-November over concerns about the EU-Mercosur trade deal, fearing it could harm local agriculture by increasing competition from cheaper imports.
France’s largest farmers’ union, the National Federation of Agricultural Workers (FNSEA), has announced plans to resume nationwide protests starting in mid-November. The move comes amid rising discontent regarding ongoing trade negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the Mercosur countries, which include Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The FNSEA’s president, Arnaud Rousseau, has raised alarms over the potential conclusion of the EU-Mercosur trade deal. French farmers are concerned that the agreement could inundate the market with cheaper agricultural imports that do not meet EU production standards, potentially undermining local agriculture.
The protests are fueled by growing frustration with increased competition from low-cost imports, including those from Ukraine, as well as escalating regulatory burdens on EU producers. These issues have already led to significant demonstrations across France and Europe earlier this year.
Additional factors contributing to the farmers’ discontent include poor harvests due to adverse weather, outbreaks of livestock diseases, and political deadlock following France’s snap election in the summer. The FNSEA’s planned protests will follow recent local demonstrations, reminiscent of earlier actions in January and February, where farmers blocked roads with tractors and set fire to hay bales.
While specific details regarding the upcoming protests are still being finalized, Rousseau pointed to a perceived “incoherency at the European level” as a primary motivator, highlighting recent signals that the Mercosur deal may soon be finalized. Brazil, a key member of Mercosur, has indicated its readiness to sign the agreement during a meeting of major economies scheduled for November.
Despite French President Emmanuel Macron’s consistent opposition to finalizing the trade deal, citing concerns for local agriculture, reports suggest that negotiations are advancing. As a result, French farmers are preparing to mobilize and renew their opposition through large-scale protests in the coming weeks.
