French farmers to resume nationwide protests next month

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PARIS (Reuters) – France’s main farmers’ union said on Tuesday it would stage nationwide protests next month as a push to conclude a trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur countries deepens discontent that fuelled a farming crisis earlier this year.

Anger at competition from cheaper imports, including from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory burden on EU producers led to large-scale protests across France and Europe.

Weather-hit harvests and outbreaks of livestock disease along with political deadlock after a snap election at the start of summer have added to the grievances among French farmers, triggering renewed protests locally in recent weeks.

The FNSEA union will hold nationwide protests from mid-November, with the date and type of action to be decided subsequently, its president, Arnaud Rousseau, told reporters.

“The new factor and trigger is the renewed incoherency at European level, as shown by a barely disguised explanation that we are going to end up signing the Mercosur deal,” he said.

Actions in the last major round of protests, in January and February, included blocking roads with tractors and blazing bales of hay.

Sources told Reuters in September negotiations seemed to be on course for a positive conclusion of the trade talks before the end of the year, and Mercosur member Brazil has said it is ready to sign an agreement in November when it hosts a meeting of major economies.

French farmers fear a accord with the South American bloc will lead to a influx of cheaper agricultural goods that do not meet EU production standards. French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly opposed concluding a trade deal.