Hundreds of French farmers went on a protest march to the icons of Paris on Thursday morning to stop the upcoming trade agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur association. Farmers fear an influx of cheap goods from Brazil or Argentina, which may destroy domestic farms.
Protesting French farmers began moving towards the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Thursday morning to express their opposition to the conclusion of a trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur. TASR informs about it according to the reports of the AFP and Reuters agencies and the Le Figaro newspaper.
- French farmers protest in Paris.
- The main reason is the planned EU agreement with Mercosur.
- Farmers criticize the low prices of South American products.
- Farmers also criticize the culling of infected animals instead of vaccination.
The trade union Coordination rurale (CR) called for protests against the planned conclusion of an agreement with the Mercosur association (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay), which, according to CR, will disadvantage their production with an influx of cheaper goods.
Criticism of the government
He also criticizes the approach of the French government to the solution of the viral disease bovine nodular dermatitis (LSD) by systematically culling infected animals. Farmers prefer vaccination.
“We will come at any price to express our demands,” Eloi Nespoulous, president of CR in the Occitanie region, told AFP at the head of a procession of about 40 tractors. According to Le Figaro, there is a ban on tractors entering the center of Paris, preventing many farmers from protesting in the city center. A similar protest is taking place in the city of Bordeaux.
Agreement with Mercosur
The agreement with Mercosur is supported by large European economies such as Germany and Spain, and the European Commission apparently also received the support of Italy this week. According to the Reuters agency, in such a case the agreement can be agreed even without French support. The vote should be on Friday.
According to the EC, the agreement would create the largest free trade area in the world and allow EU member states to increase exports of vehicles, machinery, wine and spirits to Latin America. However, European farmers will face pressure from cheaper agricultural products from South America, which may bankrupt smaller farms.
