French farmers protest EU-Mercosur trade deal in Paris, fearing unfair competition from South American imports as government warns against illegal blockades.
PARIS: French farmers drove tractors into the heart of Paris on Thursday in a major protest against a proposed EU trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc.
The demonstration, organised by the Rural Confederation union, saw dozens of tractors cruise through the capital before dawn, reaching landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.
“We said we’d come up to Paris — here we are,” said Ludovic Ducloux, a union chapter co-head.
One tractor bore a banner reading “No To Mercosur”, highlighting opposition to the pact with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The deal aims to create the world’s largest free-trade area, boosting EU exports of vehicles, machinery, wine and spirits.
French farmers fear being undercut by cheaper agricultural imports from giants like Brazil.
Rural Confederation president Bertrand Venteau said farmers intended to demonstrate peacefully at symbolic sites, even if it meant arrest.
Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon warned such actions were “illegal” and authorities would “not stand by”.
She specifically cited blocking motorways or gathering at the National Assembly as unlawful.
Near Bordeaux, about 40 farm vehicles blocked access to a fuel depot in a separate protest.
Farmers are also angry over a government order to cull cows to contain the spread of lumpy skin disease.
President Emmanuel Macron met farmers late last month to discuss both the trade deal and the cull.
Previous protests have seen roadblocks, manure-spraying and garbage dumped at government offices.
Belgian farmers also oppose the deal, with around 1,000 tractors converging on Brussels in December.
