French Farmers Protest Trade Deals and Economic Struggles

The Coordination Rurale leads demonstrations across France, demanding urgent government action on agricultural challenges and opposing EU-Mercosur trade agreements.

Farmers from the Coordination Rurale (CR) attempted to reach Paris with tractors and vehicles but were blocked or slowed by police, preventing major disruptions in the capital.
Protesters are opposing EU-Mercosur trade agreements, which they argue allow imports of lower-cost, less-regulated agricultural products, harming French farmers' competitiveness.
Agricultural income dropped significantly in 2024, with a 7.5% decline in productivity per worker and sharp decreases in crop prices due to global competition and adverse climate conditions.
Livestock farmers faced additional challenges in 2024, including disease outbreaks, predator attacks, and reduced herd sizes, further straining the industry.
The protests come ahead of key agricultural union elections and a planned meeting between Prime Minister François Bayrou and farming unions on January 13, with CR demanding immediate dialogue.