French farmers today (Tuesday, January 13) declared that the “fight is not over” against the Mercosur trade deal as they staged a major protest in the heart of Paris.
An estimated 350 tractors took part in the protest which was organised by the country’s largest farming union, the FNSEA.
Escorted by police, the tractors made their way down the Champs-Elysees and other major routes, then over the Seine River to reach the National Assembly.
The protest comes as the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, gets ready to travel to South America on Saturday (January 17) to sign the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.
Last week a majority of EU member states voted in favour of the trade deal. The countries which voted against it included Ireland; France; Hungary; Poland while Austria and Belgium abstained.
European farmers from Ireland to France and Spain have repeatedly protested against the trade deal with the Mercosur nations Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, arguing that it would flood the market with cheaper imports.
They have also voiced their concerns over the traceability and quality of beef imports which they believe would significantly undercut EU farmers.
French farmers
According to Copa Cogeca, farmers will continue to mobilise against Mercosur until “the EU institutions deliver concrete responses that genuinely enhance our competitiveness and resilience”.
Copa represents about two million European farmers and their families while Cogeca (the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives) represents the interests of European agri-food, forestry, and fishery cooperatives.
Leaders of Copa Cogeca today warned that the European Council’s “vote and maneuvering on Mercosur further exacerbate frustrations”.
It stated: “At a time when market conditions for cereal and livestock production are extremely volatile, and farmers are caught in a price squeeze between rising fertiliser and input costs and declining incomes, it is more necessary than ever to have decisive political decisions capable of restoring long-term visibility and stability”.
Copa and Cogeca have said it will support a further demonstration organised by FNSEA which is scheduled to take place in Strasbourg next Tuesday on January 20.
