French farmers stage new Paris protest over trade deal

French farmers drove their tractors into the heart of Paris today, intensifying protests over low farm incomes and the EU-Mercosur trade deal, which unions warn will expose producers to cheaper imports made to lower standards.

Paris police said about 350 tractors took part, with convoys converging near the Arc de Triomphe and outside the National Assembly.

The action, organised by major unions including FNSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs (Young Farmers), marked the second tractor protest in the capital in less than a week.

See also: France tightens food import checks amid trade protests

Last Thursday, the Coordination Rurale staged a surprise demonstration near the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

The protests follow weeks of rural unrest across France, including port blockades, motorway inspections and demonstrations outside government buildings.

Farmers undercut

Farmers say the proposed trade pact with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay will flood the EU with lower-cost beef and poultry, further undercutting producers already hit by rising fertiliser and feed costs, heavy regulation and poor returns.

Pressure on the French government has intensified after most EU member states approved the deal on 9 January, despite opposition from France, Poland, Austria, Ireland and Hungary.

The agreement could be signed as early as Saturday, with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen due in Paraguay.

Further protests are planned outside the French Parliament today and at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 20 January where a meeting of MEPs is scheduled to take place.

European farm lobby Copa-Cogeca has confirmed it will back the Strasbourg demonstration, saying recent EU announcements, including an additional €45bn (£39bn) to support farmers and rural communities, fall short.

Copa is calling for a strong post-2027 CAP, fair trade safeguards and simpler regulation.

Threats to UK farmers

Concerns have also been raised by UK and Irish farming organisations.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union cited a recent recall of Brazilian beef in Northern Ireland involving hormone-treated cattle, while Save British Farming warned Brexit Britain shows how weaker safeguards can rapidly expose farmers to global competition.