PARIS
French farmers on Tuesday drove around 350 tractors into Paris as part of ongoing protests against a trade agreement between the EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur.
While blocking various motorways, farmers drove some 350 tractors into Paris during early hours to protest against the signing of Mercosur deal and also to demand more administrative simplification in their daily lives, according to the broadcaster BFMTV.
Luc Smessaert, vice-president of the FNSEA, one of the largest farm unions in France, told BFMTV that the farmers are determined to stay in Paris until their demands are “heard.”
“Our aim is to leave this evening. If we don’t get this meeting (with the prime minister), then yes, we will stay as long as it takes. We’re currently along the Seine, and if we have to spread out across Paris, we will do so,” he said.
A large group of farmers gathered outside the National Assembly, prompting its president, Yael Braun-Pivet, to meet them days after a previous encounter with protesters in which she was booed with chants of “resign.”
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s government office will reportedly receive a delegation of farmers for the afternoon.
Farmers across Europe have been protesting against the EU-Mercosur deal, which was under discussion for more than 20 years. They argue that the agreement undermines domestic markets and jeopardizes both agricultural livelihoods and food standards.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to sign the deal in Paraguay on Jan. 17.
