French Farmers Need Protests for the EU-MERCOSUR Agreement

Agricultural Protests Continue in France

In the city of Dijon, farmers protested the Mercosur trade agreement by dumping manure, tires, and hay in front of public buildings on Friday.

Support Demonstration from FNSEA

One of the country's largest agricultural organizations, the National Federation of Agricultural Workers' Unions (FNSEA), supported this protest by carrying out a symbolic action. FNSEA emphasized that it stands united and determined in the fight to protect the income and standards of the agricultural sector.

Demands for Measures Against Unfair Competition

In demonstrations held across the country, urgent and concrete action plans were demanded against the unfair competition that the EU-MERCOSUR agreement could create against farmers.

Development of the EU-MERCOSUR Agreement

EU countries approved the EU-MERCOSUR free trade agreement, which was previously expected to be ratified by December 2025 but was delayed due to farmers' protests and the opposing stances of France, Italy, and Poland, on January 9. This agreement is expected to be signed in Paraguay on January 17. Under this agreement, customs advantages will be granted on agricultural products such as beef, poultry, dairy products, sugar, and ethanol, and the markets of these countries will be opened to European industries.

Concerns of European Farmers

European farmers express concerns that cheap agricultural products produced under low standards will flood the EU market, arguing that this could lead to the bankruptcy of many family farms.