French farmers protest again, driving tractors to block the road to Paris

(CLO) Farmer caravans restarted their protest movement on Sunday to block roads around Paris and protest what they say is unfair competition from abroad and excessive regulation.

Farmers in France, the European Union's largest agricultural producer, led Europe-wide protests in early 2024, but the protests died down by the end of the year.

However, last month's move by the EU and South American nations in the Mercosur bloc to announce an agreement in principle for a free trade deal has given fresh impetus to French farmers protesting the Mercosur deal.

Farmers driving tractors and carrying scrap metal block roads into the French capital Paris. Photo: X/RKS

French farmers also remain unhappy about the regulation, which they say is hurting their profits. Agricultural union officials will meet with new French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on January 13 to express their concerns.

"They don't understand the level of suffering and desperation that farmers are going through right now," Amelie Rebiere, vice president of the Co-ordination Rurale farming union, told BFM television.

Video of French farmers dumping scrap during a protest in late 2024 (source: X)

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Supporters of the EU's Mercosur deal, such as Germany, say it is a way to reduce reliance on trade with China and protect EU nations from the impact of trade tariffs threatened by US President-elect Donald Trump.

Video of French farmers dumping old tires on the street during a protest in late 2024 (source: X)

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However, many European farmers – often led by those from France – have repeatedly opposed the EU-Mercosur deal, arguing that it would lead to cheap imports of South American goods, particularly beef, that do not meet EU safety standards.

Mercosur is a political and economic bloc consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Associate members include Bolivia, Guyana, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, and Chile.

Huy Hoang (according to BFM, RKS, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nong-dan-phap-lai-bieu-tinh-lai-may-keo-chan-duong-den-paris-post329116.html