Overview
- The European Commission approved the agreement on Friday, clearing the way for Ursula von der Leyen to sign it on 17 January.
- Ratification by the European Parliament is still required, with a vote expected in February or March and a tight result likely.
- France’s main farm union, FNSEA, has called a protest on 20 January in Strasbourg outside the European Parliament.
- Farmers have begun blockades, including a filter checkpoint on the A1 in Pas-de-Calais and disruptions at the port of Le Havre.
- The deal would remove many tariffs, benefiting EU exports such as cars, machinery, wine and dairy while increasing access for South American beef, poultry, sugar, rice, honey and soy.