ANGRY FRENCH FARMERS BURN HAY, DUMP MANURE – Local Government Building burs the smelly brunt of the farmers’ frustrations
Angry farmers in the western French city of Limoges on Tuesday (November 19) burned bags of hay and poured liquid manure in front of the local prefecture in protest of a trade deal between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc, which will further intensify competition for the French agriculture sector.
Farmers in their tractors protested in many parts of France on Tuesday as the EU and four Mercosur members – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – are pushing to conclude long-running trade negotiations by the end of the year.
The recent farmers demonstrations come after weeks of large-scale actions last winter over cheaper imports, burdensome regulations and meagre incomes.
French farmers fear a Mercosur accord will bring more beef, chicken, sugar and maize from Brazil and Argentina, countries they say use pesticides on crops and growth antibiotics in livestock that are outlawed in Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday reiterated his opposition to a deal with Mercosur as proposed.
But with France lacking EU allies in the Mercosur talks, and rural grievances running deep, the authorities may struggle to placate the farmers.
