French farmers staged a dramatic protest in Dijon on Thursday, dumping tonnes of hay, tyres, and manure to oppose the EU-MERCOSUR free trade agreement and demand action on delayed government aid, according to France Bleu.
Responding to calls from FNSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs unions, hundreds of farmers arrived in the city centre on 70 tractors, voicing concerns over the deal’s potential impact on local agriculture.
The trade agreement with MERCOSUR, which aims to eliminate over 90% of tariffs between the EU and South America, has sparked fears that South American products will undermine French farmers’ competitiveness.
Adding to their grievances, the recent no-confidence vote and government resignation in France have delayed critical aid measures. Farmers argue that these setbacks compound the challenges posed by stringent agricultural regulations, rising costs, and competition from cheaper imports.
Protests against the agreement have intensified in recent months, with French farmers calling for the EU to abandon the trade pact, relax regulations, and expedite subsidies. This latest demonstration follows a series of nationwide protests against policies they claim threaten their livelihoods, including restrictions on irrigation, rising fuel prices, and strict climate measures.
The farmers’ demands highlight the growing tension between local agricultural interests and international trade agreements.
