France’s Farmers Push to Block EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement

France's largest farming organizations have urged the government to oppose the European Union's free-trade agreement with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The farmers argue that the deal fails to adequately safeguard agricultural producers from the influx of cheaper imports, which could have a detrimental impact on their livelihoods. The farming groups contend that the agreement does not provide sufficient guarantees to protect French and European agricultural products, particularly in sensitive sectors like beef, poultry, and sugar. They have expressed concerns that the increased competition from Mercosur countries could undermine the viability of domestic farming operations. The French government has been under pressure from the agricultural sector to take a firm stance against the trade deal, which has faced opposition from several EU member states. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the broader EU-Mercosur agreement and the future of agricultural trade between the two regions.