French farmers launch protests over EU-Mercosur trade deal

French farmers are set to launch a wave of nationwide protests over the potential impact of the Mercosur trade deal on their agricultural industry, which could last several weeks.

Represented by France’s largest farming union FNSEA (National Federation of Agricultural Workers), farmers are concerned that the agreement could flood European markets with cheap agricultural products, undermining local farming standards and livelihoods.

The Mercosur deal is a landmark trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs and increasing trade between the European Union (EU) and South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia), which the EU wants to sign, with or without France, by the end of the year.

See also: French farmers vow to put Paris ‘under siege’ in tractor protest

However, farmers across France fear that the agreement’s provisions will allow lower-quality products – particularly beef, poultry, and soya – to enter the European market at lower prices, threatening the viability of local farming operations that are already struggling with rising costs, climate pressures, and increasing regulatory burdens.

On Monday, 18 November, farmers will be out on the streets and in their tractors in Paris and in other large French cities, including Bordeaux and Lille, to protest against the prospect of the Mercosur trade deal.

FNSEA president Arnaud Rousseau announced on French television channel BFM that “82 protest actions” would take place across France until Tuesday, 19 November.

Fires lit

French farmers were already out protesting on Sunday evening  (17 November), setting up roadblocks and lighting fires in several regions of France.

The FNSEA argues that the EU-Mercosur agreement would allow imports of agricultural goods produced under lower environmental and animal welfare standards.

The FNSEA has described the deal as “a threat to French agriculture”, claiming that it would be impossible for French farmers to compete with the prices of products produced under less stringent regulations in countries such as Brazil and Argentina.

The union has called for stronger protections for European farmers, urging the French government to renegotiate the terms of the deal. The FNSEA says French farmers are already facing unfair competition from international markets and cannot afford to take on additional risks.

Farmers have also raised concerns about the environmental implications of the Mercosur deal, particularly the potential for increased deforestation in the Amazon to meet rising demand for beef and soya.

Macron visit 

In a statement, the FNSEA has called for the EU to “protect European standards and values” and to reject any deal that would undermine the sustainability of European agriculture.

French president Emmanuel Macron is visiting Argentina before going to Brazil for the G20 summit.

En route to talks with his counterpart, Javier Milei, Mr Macron said he would push for “the defence of our agriculture and our farmers”.