FRENCH farmers took part in widespread protests today, targeting the European Union-Mercosur trade agreement. 

The farmers say that the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.

Protests took place across the country, including gatherings at prefectures and traffic circles. 

One group blocked a highway south-west of Paris on Sunday night with tractors. 

The EU and the Mercosur trade bloc, composed of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, reached an initial agreement in 2019, but negotiations stumbled due to opposition from farmers and some European governments, particularly France.

“It is unacceptable as it stands,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

There are fears that the agreement could be finalised at the G20 summit in Brazil this week, or in the coming weeks. A partial EU-Mercosur deal, with many of the parts that French farmers find unsavoury, could be agreed over their heads since France does not hold veto power.

Leading the charge of the protests in France are unions, who oppose provisions such as duty-free imports of beef, poultry and sugar, which they say create unfair competition. 

Supporters of the agreement argue that it would significantly boost economic ties between Europe and South America by eliminating tariffs on European exports, notably for machinery, chemicals and cars, thereby enhancing market access and creating lucrative opportunities for European businesses.

French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has publicly opposed the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing risks of deforestation and health concerns linked to hormone-treated meat.

In an interview with TF1, she said: “We don’t want this agreement because it’s harmful. It will bring in products, including substances banned in Europe, at the cost of deforestation.”

Farmers say they are further frustrated by a European Commission audit that flagged hormone use in Brazilian beef exports. Their demonstrations aim to pressure the French government and EU officials to block or renegotiate the agreement.