As prospects emerge for a final agreement on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market of South America), farmers' organizations across Europe have launched full-scale protests.
On the 18th (local time), the French National Farmers' Federation and the Young Farmers' Association began their opposition demonstrations.
French farmers are protesting while holding signs opposing the FTA between the EU and Mercosur. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
In southern Montpellier, about 100 farmers protested in front of the local government office. In Avignon, tractor protest groups gathered to coordinate a joint response. In Bordeaux, tractor protests were scheduled from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Some farmers in the metropolitan area occupied part of National Road 118 from the previous evening but lifted the blockade on the morning of the 18th. In some areas, village signs were changed to the names of South American cities to satirize the concern that the European market would be flooded with South American products.
Pierrick Aur?l, president of the Young Farmers' Association, announced on RMC Radio that protests were planned in 85 locations nationwide. Regarding President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Argentina the previous day, where he expressed opposition to the FTA, Aur?l said, "It is reassuring," but also expressed concern, saying, "It is uncertain whether he can persuade other member states to prevent the ratification of this agreement."
Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Interior, urged the protesters, saying, "The order of the Republic applies to all French people. No one is above the law," and asked them not to harm people or property or cause prolonged blockades or deadlocks.
MERCOSUR, composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia, is a South American economic community that began FTA discussions with the EU in 1999. Although a fundamental agreement was reached in 2019, progress stalled as the EU demanded new conditions such as environmental protection obligations. However, the likelihood of a final signing by the end of this year is increasing.
Voices opposing the FTA with South America are also emerging among farmers in other EU member states.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, attending the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, said, "After more than 20 years, we must finally conclude an FTA with MERCOSUR." He added, "The negotiations have taken too long, which is not a good example," and argued that the method of concluding agreements should be changed to prevent a single country from blocking the agreement in the future. This statement appears to be aimed at France, which is the strongest opponent of the South American FTA.
However, dissatisfaction is growing among German farmers. The German Farmers' Association (DBV) stated that it has no plans to protest yet but emphasized the urgency of renegotiation.
Farmers' organizations such as Spain's Young Farmers' Association are concerned about the import of cheap South American beef. In response, the Spanish government is trying to persuade the public of the necessity of the FTA, acknowledging that some sectors like beef may suffer damage, but products such as wine and olive oil could benefit.
Italy and Poland, including their agricultural ministries, have taken a stance against accepting the FTA with South America.
On the same day, Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, stated in a press release, "The FTA agreement in its current form is unacceptable," and urged that South American farmers should also be subject to the same environmental regulations as the EU.
Poland's Ministry of Agriculture responded negatively, saying that while the FTA would sacrifice most agricultural and food production sectors, industries such as manufacturing and transportation would benefit.
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