(17 Nov 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vélizy-Villacoublay, approximately 14 km south-west of Paris, France – 17 November 2024
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Various of farmers and tractors partially blocking roads and protesting, police on site
STORYLINE:
French farmers are mobilizing starting Sunday evening for widespread protests targeting the controversial EU-Mercosur trade agreement.
They argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.
Protests are planned nationwide, including gatherings at prefectures and traffic circles.
Leading the charge are unions like FNSEA and Young Farmers (JA), who oppose provisions such as duty-free imports of beef, poultry, and sugar, which they say create unfair competition.
Coordination Rurale, a union linked to the far-right, has promised an agricultural revolt, including food freight blockades beginning Tuesday in Auch and Agen, southwestern France.
However, proponents of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement argue that it would significantly boost economic ties between Europe and South America by eliminating tariffs on European exports, notably for machinery, chemicals, and cars, thereby enhancing market access and creating lucrative opportunities for European businesses.
Earlier this year, in January, farmers begged to differ — staging protests across France, blocking roads and buildings to oppose the agreement and demand fairer agricultural policies.
The new protests come amid fears the agreement could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on Nov. 18-19.
French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has publicly opposed the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing risks of deforestation.
President Emmanuel Macron has also criticized the agreement unless South American producers meet EU standards.
Their demonstrations aim to pressure the French government and EU officials to block or renegotiate the agreement.
AP Video shot by Michel Euler
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