Hundreds of farmers spent the night of Saturday (10) at the entrance to the port of Le Havre, in northwestern France, and this Sunday (11) set up a barrier to control the entry of trucks in protest against the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, approved on Friday (9).
The action, which began on Saturday, aims to control food products entering and leaving the port, according to local press reports.
Protesters intend to block the passage of food that does not comply with the health and environmental standards imposed on French and European producers.
The general secretary of the Young Farmers of Seine-Maritime, Justin Lemaître, explained to Franceinfo radio that the operation aims to prepare for Monday, when around 5,000 trucks per day are expected at the site. He added that there is no “direct opposition” from the security forces, who are monitoring the action from a distance.
Demonstrations take place simultaneously in different parts of France this Sunday.
In Savoy, around 50 farmers have been blocking the Albens oil deposit, in the commune of Entrelacs, since Thursday. Barriers are also set up on the A63, in Bayonne, and A64, in Carbonne, south of Toulouse.
The French mobilization is part of a series of protests across Europe in recent days. On Friday, there were also protests in Poland and Italy, followed by actions in Ireland and Spain on Saturday.
Federation promises “marathon of mobilizations”
In a statement, the National Federation of Agricultural Unions (FNSEA), the country’s main farmers’ organization, announced that it will “continue its marathon of mobilizations to obtain concrete results.”
The document recognized specific advances in negotiations with the government, “notably regarding support for sectors in crisis (major crops and viticulture)”, but criticized the absence of structuring measures.
The organization has outlined a three-step strategy for the coming weeks. First, carry out controls on imported products at ports and highways. “If Europe refuses to control imports, farmers will take care of it,” the FNSEA stated in the document.
The second stage of the strategy foresees a mobilization in Strasbourg. FNSEA and Young Farmers have called for a large protest for January 20th in front of the European Parliament. According to the statement, the trip to Strasbourg aims to “continue the fight against the EU-Mercosur agreement”, remembering that parliamentarians “have legal and political levers at their disposal”.
The third front of action involves the presentation of a proposed law on food sovereignty. “The FNSEA reminds us that farmers need a clear vision of French-led agricultural policy to achieve food sovereignty,” the statement said.
Ratification of the trade agreement still depends on a vote in the European Parliament. The signing of the agreement is scheduled for next Saturday, in Paraguay.
