French Farmers Stage Paris Protests Against EU-Mercosur Trade Pact

French farmers staged road blockades in Paris on Thursday to oppose a European Union trade agreement with South American countries and raise local grievances. The demonstrations, organised by the Coordination Rurale union, were driven by fears that the Mercosur deal could increase imports of cheap food and by concerns over the government’s response to a cattle disease.

Stephane Pelletier, deputy president of the union in Vienne, central France, said farmers felt abandoned.

«We are between resentment and despair. We have a feeling of abandonment, like with Mercosur. We have been abandoned in favour of a space shuttle, an Airbus, or a car,» he told Reuters.

Government Offers Incentives to Farmers

The protest followed the European Commission’s proposal to release €45 bn of EU funding to farmers earlier than planned and a reduction in import duties on certain fertilisers to maintain support for Mercosur. The agreement has backing from countries including Germany, Spain and now Italy, giving it enough votes for approval even without French support. A vote on the deal is expected Friday.

Farmers also demand an end to the culling of cattle affected by the contagious lumpy skin disease, calling the measures excessive and urging vaccination as an alternative.

Dozens of tractors were parked along the Seine near the Eiffel Tower, obstructing city centre access from the Peripherique at locations such as Porte d’Auteuil. Protesters reached central Paris despite a strict ban imposed by French police.