New outbreak of anger among farmers in France, fueled by an agreement with Mercosur

Photo: Arnaud Finistre Agence France-Presse Two farmers talk next to a fire lit Monday in Dijon, during a series of actions against, in particular, the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.

Myriam Lemetayer – Agence France-Presse in Paris

Published at 15:39 Updated at 15:57

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“France, do you still want your farmers?” French farmers mobilized once again on Monday, less than a year after an unprecedented movement of anger in the countryside, which the prospect of an agreement with Mercosur could once again ignite.

France, which is seeking to mobilize the rest of Europe, received the support of Italy, but at the same time, the German Chancellor reaffirmed that the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur “must finally be concluded.”

The FNSEA-JA union alliance, the majority in the sector in France, launched more than 80 symbolic actions, a prelude to a new cycle of mobilization. The authorities have recorded “around forty actions” involving 2,500 people, according to a police source.

All day Monday, the first of two days of the G20 summit in Brazil, these organizations multiplied the symbols.

In Bordeaux, several dozen farmers piled up and burned vines resulting from the uprooting of several thousand hectares in the Bordeaux region, faced with overproduction.

“It's a warning: today, we're rekindling the flame, so watch out! ” explained to AFP Jérôme Fréville, 60, a winegrower in the Médoc.

Photo: Philippe Lopez Agence France-Presse A farmer throws gasoline on uprooted vines, Monday in Bordeaux.

Farmers planted crosses in the Var (south), to evoke the mortal danger that they believe French agriculture is facing.

They also blocked the Europe Bridge that links Strasbourg to Germany to send a message to the European Commission, which seems determined to quickly conclude a free trade agreement with Latin American Mercosur countries.

Negotiated for more than 20 years, this treaty provides in particular for beef import quotas with reduced or zero customs duties.

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“Don’t forget your hicks”

The impatient had brought out the tractors on Sunday, going in procession near the Villacoublay air base, near Paris, from where Emmanuel Macron flew to the G20 in Rio, Brazil. “Macron, if you go to Rio, don't forget your hicks,” proclaimed a banner hanging on a bridge.

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On Sunday, the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, warned that there would have “zero tolerance” for “sustained road blockages.”

Hit by poor harvests and emerging animal diseases, farmers say they have yet to reap the benefits of last winter's wrath. And they consider the standards to be as complex as ever, and the incomes insufficient.

Photo: Frederick Florin Agence France-Presse Tractors were carrying placards during the blockade of the Pont de l'Europe in Strasbourg on Monday.

If taxes on agricultural fuel were one of the catalysts for mobilization last year, it is the outcome of the European Union (EU) free trade agreement project with the Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia) that could set the fuse alight this year.

The EU seems determined to sign this agreement by the end of the year, which will notably allow Latin American countries to sell more beef, chicken and sugar without customs duties in Europe.

Several European countries, including Spain and Germany, want to conclude the agreement, which would promote the export of cars, machines and pharmaceutical products from the European Union.

Unfair competition

But French farmers fear unfair competition from products that are not subject to the strict environmental and health standards in force in Europe.

This is why the FNSEA and its ally JA have chosen to relaunch the mobilization on Monday and Tuesday, the dates of the G20 summit in Brazil.

Photo: Christophe Ena Associated Press Farmers had a message for President Macron on Monday, near the Villacoublay air base from where he was leaving for the G20.

In Buenos Aires, French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that France would not “sign the free trade agreement as it stands.”

France has said for weeks that it is “looking for allies” in the EU to delay signing.

On Monday, Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigidra said he considered the Mercosur treaty “in its current form” “not acceptable.”

“We must verify in advance that Mercosur countries are complying with the same obligations that we impose on our farmers in terms of respect for workers' rights and the environment,” justified this minister, a member of Fratelli d'Italia, the far-right party led by Giorgia Meloni, to whom he is close.

FNSEA President Arnaud Rousseau was “delighted” on France 5 about this position when “it was said that Italy was already on the side of the supporters.”

“We see that little by little, the debate is growing in Europe and that is welcome,” commented LFI (radical left) MEP Manon Aubry on RTL.