French farmers blocked a highway linking France and Spain this Wednesday (20), as demonstrations continued across the country during the
An effort to conclude a trade deal between the European Union and South American nations in Mercosur has reignited rural discontent over unfair competition, onerous regulations and low agricultural yields.
“We are against Mercosur (EU-Mercosur trade agreement) because it will be the death of our French agriculture, because we cannot compete fairly, since these people do not respect the same environmental laws as us. It’s unacceptable,” said grain farmer Benjamin Bejada.
Angry farmers blocked the Le Boulou tollbooth on the French A49 motorway towards Perpignan and Montpellier with tires and their tractors, leaving a long queue of vehicles stuck, unable to enter France.
The Rural Coordination union, which is behind many of the actions, has threatened to block ports and retail distribution centers to restrict food supplies if authorities do not announce immediate measures.
The FNSEA welcomed the announcement made on Tuesday (19) by the government that it would let the National Assembly debate and vote soon on the prospect of an EU-Mercosur agreement.
The president during a trip to South America said that France had the support of EU countries such as Italy and Poland.
