Major agricultural unions in France have intensified their protests against a free trade agreement with Mercosur, citing threats to their livelihoods. Demonstrations included symbolic actions like manure piles and crosses to represent the perceived decline of French agriculture. The FNSEA-Young Farmers coalition is leading these efforts, while other unions plan escalated actions if negotiations don’t progress. Farmers express frustration over unfulfilled government commitments and rising challenges, including a poor wheat harvest and new animal diseases.
Manure piles, crosses planted in the earth, and ‘fires of anger’ announced for the evening—these are just a few of the striking actions taken by major agricultural unions on Monday to voice their strong opposition to a free trade agreement they feel jeopardizes their livelihoods.
Less than a year after a significant mobilization that saw highway blockades across the nation in January, agricultural unions argue that little has changed. They are rallying their members once again to protest, but this time in a decentralized fashion as professional elections approach in January.
The FNSEA-Young Farmers (JA) coalition has taken the lead in this renewed struggle. In Cannet-des-Maures (Var), approximately 300 farmers laid soil on the roadway and erected crosses to symbolize the death of French agriculture, which they believe is at risk due to the EU’s ongoing negotiations with Mercosur, the Latin American trade bloc.
In a dramatic show of control, farmers near the Belgian border took charge of heavy trucks.
In Montpellier, around 200 farmers hung signs from various localities in Hérault on the gates of the prefecture. They also adorned the fountain of the Three Graces in the Place de la Comédie with coverings and placed manure around it, making their discontent known.
The FNSEA-JA coalition has declared ’85 demonstration points’ nationwide, although they have opted against any highway blockades this time.
Positioning itself as a ‘responsible’ union, the FNSEA aims to avoid inconveniencing the French public, distinguishing itself from the Rural Coordination (CR), the second-largest agricultural union, known for its more militant tactics that gained significant attention last winter.
The Rural Coordination has decided to wait until its congress on Tuesday and Wednesday to escalate its protests. They are promising ‘an agricultural revolt’ with a ‘blockade of food transport’ starting Wednesday in the Southwest if there are no advancements on the Mercosur agreement.
Meanwhile, the Peasant Confederation, the third major agricultural union, protested by depositing solar panels in front of the agricultural chamber of Corrèze on Monday, highlighting concerns over land use for energy projects.
Even as early as Sunday night, impatient farmers took to the streets with their tractors, parading near the Villacoublay air base, close to Paris, where President Emmanuel Macron departed for the G20 in Rio, Brazil. A banner displayed on a bridge read, ‘Macron, if you go to Rio, don’t forget your peasants.’
In Calvados, FNSEA representative Xavier Haie summarized the situation: ‘We have issued a first warning to say stop to the Mercosur negotiations.’ Farmers are also looking for the government to follow through on its promises regarding agricultural orientation laws and administrative simplification.
– Is an ‘Agricultural Revolt’ on the Horizon? –
Facing the worst wheat harvest in 40 years and the emergence of new animal diseases, farmers feel they have yet to benefit from last winter’s protests. The fulfillment of the 70 commitments made by the Attal government has stalled due to the dissolution of the National Assembly.
Last winter’s protests focused on rising agricultural fuel prices and the European Green Deal. Now, the anticipated conclusion of the free trade agreement with Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) is igniting tensions in the agricultural community.
Despite opposition from the French political sphere, the European Commission, backed by countries like Germany and Spain, appears determined to finalize this pact by year-end, which would allow Latin American nations to export more beef, chicken, and sugar without tariffs.
‘We will continue to oppose’ the agreement, assured Emmanuel Macron on Sunday while in Argentina before the G20, as he sought to reassure farmers.
For weeks, France has been articulating its search for allies within the EU to delay signing the agreement. On Monday, Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida described the treaty with Mercosur as ‘unacceptable in its current form.’