French Farmers Protest EU-Mercosur Trade Deal with Nationwide Blockades

Farmers block highways and disrupt city centers, opposing trade deal they claim undermines French agricultural standards and economic stability.

Farmers blocked the A16 highway near the Channel Tunnel and the center of Dijon with hundreds of tractors, protesting the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement.
Protesters argue the deal allows imports that fail to meet France's agricultural standards, threatening local farmers' livelihoods and market stability.
In Dijon, demonstrators dumped manure and tires near government buildings, displaying slogans like 'Don't import what we banned in France.'
More than 30 parliamentary offices across France were vandalized by farmers angered by the recent government censure vote, which they claim halted key agricultural reforms.
The EU-Mercosur trade agreement, finalized last week, must still be ratified by at least 15 EU member states representing 65% of the bloc's population to take effect.