abcnews.go.com
French Farmers Protest Mercosur Trade Deal
French farmers are staging major protests against a trade deal with South America, fearing it will devastate their livelihoods due to unfair competition and lower environmental standards.
English
United States
PoliticsEuropean UnionProtestsTradeEnvironmentInternational TradeAgriculture
European UnionMercosurFnseaCoordination RuraleConfédération Paysanne
Annie GenevardUrsula Von Der LeyenEmmanuel MacronVéronique Le Floc’h
- What is the main reason behind the French farmers' protests?
- French farmers are protesting a trade deal with Mercosur due to concerns that increased agricultural imports from South America will harm their livelihoods and violate EU environmental standards.
- What actions have the French farmers taken to express their opposition?
- Protests have included blocking state buildings, open letters to the EU Commission, and planned nationwide demonstrations, with major French farming unions vowing action after the winter sowing season.
- What are the main concerns of the protesting farmers regarding the trade deal?
- The deal, initially agreed upon in 2019, has faced significant opposition from farmers and some European governments worried about South American pesticide use and lower environmental/labor standards.
- What is the potential impact of this trade deal on the future of European agriculture?
- Despite President Macron previously calling the deal "terrible" and "outdated", and his opposition to the agreement unless South American producers meet EU standards, there are still fears that it could be finalized at the G20 summit.
- What are the different viewpoints of the French government and the farmers' unions on the trade deal?
- The French agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, stated that the agreement is "highly unlikely" while Véronique Le Floc’h, president of Coordination Rurale, expressed deep skepticism and concern about the agreement's potential impact.