The French farmers' union FNSEA has announced plans for a nationwide protest on September 26. The action is directed at the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, tariffs imposed by the United States, and imports that do not comply with French production regulations.
Arnaud Rousseau, FNSEA's secretary-general, said that the entry of lower-priced products from Latin America, produced under standards different from those in France, could harm domestic production. His remarks were reported by Reuters and EFE.
The call for protest comes at a time of political tension in France, where the National Assembly recently removed Prime Minister François Bayrou and President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as his replacement. Farmers' actions also coincide with broader street demonstrations against austerity measures across the country.
The EU-Mercosur trade pact, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, is entering the ratification stage in the 27 European Union parliaments. Farmers' groups in several EU member states have voiced concerns that imported produce and other goods may not meet European standards on production practices.
FNSEA has positioned its protest as part of this broader opposition. The union argues that imports under the agreement, combined with existing U.S. tariffs on European goods, create an uneven competitive environment for French growers.
The protest is expected to take place across multiple regions in France on September 26, coinciding with the ongoing discussions on trade policy and agricultural standards within the EU.
Source: DatamarNews
