The European Union seems determined to sign a free trade agreement with the Latin American Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia) by the end of the year, to the great dismay of France, who still refuses it “as is”.
Prime Minister Michel Barnier, traveling to Brussels on Wednesday, must assert Paris’ position.
During the Council of Ministers which took place before his departure, “the absolute opposition of the government to a treaty which would endanger our breeders was recalled”, reported the government spokesperson, Maud Bregeon.
“This treaty is not acceptable, both for ecological reasons and for the unfair competition it induces,” she added.
More than 600 French parliamentarians (deputies, senators and European deputies) also wrote on Tuesday to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to mark their opposition to the treaty.
Demonstration against the free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries, November 13, 2024 in BrusselsAFP / Simon Wohlfahrt.
Less than a year after a historic mobilization of farmers in France, which notably resulted in highway blockages, agricultural unions are calling on their troops to demonstrate again.
They still denounce bureaucracy and low income, but are also exasperated by poor harvests, losses linked to emerging animal diseases and the prospect of signing the agreement with Mercosur.
The objective is not to “block” France
The majority agricultural union alliance formed by the FNSEA and the Young Farmers (JA) has launched a call for a national mobilization of farmers from Monday, November 18, when the members of the G20 meet in Brazil, to demonstrate their opposition to the agreement with Mercosur.
Demonstrations will be organized at the initiative of the departmental federations on November 18 and 19 in front of the prefectures or on the roundabouts called “European roundabouts”, the organizations specified during a press conference.
“Our objective is not to annoy the French”, “to block them” and “even less to starve them as we have heard”, repeated the president of the FNSEA Arnaud Rousseau, in reference to the promise of the Rural Coordination to “block food freight”.
The movement should continue, with repeated demonstrations, on other themes (against “constraints”, for better sales prices) and on other symbolic places (in front of administrations, in supermarkets) until mid -December.
The majority unions seem keen not to alienate the rest of the population by appearing to defend sectional interests. They are thus putting at the top of their demands the rejection of the agreement with Mercosur, on the grounds that the French would find on their plates more products that they say they do not want? grown with pesticides banned in the EU, raised with growth-promoting antibiotics.
While the professional agricultural elections are being held in January, the other unions are carrying out their own actions, without completely aligning themselves with the FNSEA/JA calendar.
The Rural Coordination, the second representative union, promises “an agricultural revolt” from November 19.
The minority union Confédération Paysanne took part in several anti-Mercosur demonstrations on Wednesday, alone or with other organizations: in the European district of Brussels, in front of the French Ministry of the Economy in Paris and in Aveyron.
Spokesperson for the Confédération Paysanne union, Laurence Marandola, responds to journalists during a rally against the EU-Mercosur agreement in Paris, November 13, 2024AFP / Grégoire CAMPIONE.
Activists notably stationed themselves in front of the McDonald’s in Millau (Aveyron), which had been “dismantled” by members of the Confédération paysanne in 1999, an action that has remained a reference in the anti-globalization peasant struggle.
**Interview with Arnaud Rousseau, President of the FNSEA**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Arnaud. The French farmers are gearing up for demonstrations against the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement. What are the main concerns driving this mobilization?
**Arnaud Rousseau:** Thank you for having me. Our primary concerns center on the potential impact this treaty would have on French agriculture. We believe it could lead to unfair competition from Mercosur countries, where standards for agriculture are significantly lower, particularly around environmental regulations and animal welfare. The implications for our breeders and farmers are severe, putting our local food production at risk.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned environmental standards. Can you elaborate on how these trade practices might affect consumers in France?
**Arnaud Rousseau:** Absolutely. If this agreement goes through, consumers may find their plates filled with products that were cultivated with pesticides banned in the EU, or livestock raised using antibiotics that are prohibited here. It compromises our food safety and quality, which is something that French consumers value highly.
**Interviewer:** You’ve called for national mobilization and demonstrations. How do you plan to ensure that the protests convey the farmers’ message without alienating the general public?
**Arnaud Rousseau:** Our goal is not to disrupt daily life or create animosity towards the agricultural sector. We want to engage the public by emphasizing that we’re fighting for their interests too. We plan to demonstrate in ways that are visible but respectful, highlighting the broader implications of this trade deal, which extends beyond just farmers to the entire populace.
**Interviewer:** The FNSEA is working alongside other agricultural unions. How important is this unity in your efforts against the Mercosur agreement?
**Arnaud Rousseau:** Unity is crucial. By collaborating with other agricultural unions, we’re amplifying our voice and showing a united front. This solidarity enables us to push back more effectively against policies that threaten our livelihoods and the quality of food in France. Together, we can present a comprehensive argument to both policymakers and the public.
**Interviewer:** As we approach the G20 meetings in Brazil, do you foresee any shifts in the government’s stance on the trade agreement, given the growing opposition?
**Arnaud Rousseau:** It’s difficult to say. The government has expressed strong opposition to the current terms of the agreement, especially in light of our concerns. However, we are hopeful that with continued pressure from farmers, consumers, and the public, we can influence a re-evaluation of the treaty before it is finalized.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Arnaud. We’ll be following this issue closely as the situation evolves.
**Arnaud Rousseau:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation that affects us all.
