Farmers’ Protests Disrupt Traffic Across France
French farmers have taken their opposition to the Mercosur-EU agreement off the negotiation tables and onto the roads. Key highways, including those connecting to Spain, have been blocked by farmer groups.
Key Road Blockages
- In southwestern France, a protest led to the closure of the interchange between the A63 and A64, a major route to the Basque Country.
- The A63 was completely shut down between Bayonne North and Bayonne South, causing significant traffic congestion.
- In Perpignan, a similar action took place on the A9 highway heading towards Spain, according to traffic service Bison Futé.
Paris Protest Organized by Farmers’ Confederation
In Paris, the Farmers’ Confederation organized a “caracol operation” using tractors to protest against the Mercosur-EU agreement and a sanitary protocol that mandates the culling of entire animal populations during certain outbreaks.
Reasons for Opposition
The Mercosur-EU agreement faces strong criticism from the Spanish agroindustrial sector, particularly in primary production. The main concern revolves around competition with countries that have lower production costs and less stringent regulatory requirements.
Ganadery Sector’s Vulnerability
The livestock sector is the most exposed to potential negative impacts. Opening the market to large producers like Brazil and Argentina raises fears of price drops and reduced profitability. Sector representatives warn that the influx of South American meat could destabilize a market already pressured by energy costs and environmental demands.
Agreement Details
The agreement includes significant concessions in beef, poultry, ethanol, and rice sectors. Although quotas are limited, the sector anticipates a substantial impact.
- In beef, preferences account for 1.5% of the EU’s production.
- For poultry, the limit is set at 1.3%.
Standards and Regulatory Concerns
Another point of contention is the differences in production standards. Spanish farmers fear competing with products that, in practice, do not adhere to the same sanitary, environmental, and animal welfare regulations as those in the European Union.
