PARIS, Jan 13: French farmers drove about 350 tractors through Paris on Tuesday, converging on Parliament to protest low incomes and the European Union’s planned trade deal with South American Mercosur nations.
Escorted by police, the slow-moving convoy disrupted rush-hour traffic as it passed along the Champs-Élysées, crossed the Seine and reached the National Assembly.
The protest reflects rising anger among farmers in France and across Europe, as they face mounting economic pressure.
Farming unions said the demonstration was aimed at demanding immediate and concrete measures to protect farmers’ incomes and ensure France’s food security.
Farmers say their earnings are being squeezed by rising costs for fuel, fertiliser and animal feed, alongside stricter environmental regulations and pricing pressure from large retailers and food companies. These challenges, they argue, are making farming increasingly unsustainable.
A central grievance is the EU-Mercosur trade deal involving Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.
French farmers fear the agreement would allow cheaper imports of beef, poultry, sugar and other agricultural products produced under different standards, undercutting European farmers and further driving down prices.
The French government has sought to reassure farmers. Government spokesperson Maud Brégeon said new support measures would be announced soon, and President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated his opposition to the trade deal.
Despite France’s stance, the European Commission expects to sign the agreement in Paraguay this weekend after a qualified majority of EU states backed it.
The deal will then move to the European Parliament for a lengthy approval process, where its passage remains uncertain. (AP)
