French Farmers Protest EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

French and Belgian farmers are mobilizing against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which they fear will flood their markets with cheaper agricultural imports that do not meet EU standards. Protests in France, led by FNSEA president Arnaud Rousseau, will begin on November 15 and aim to raise awareness at the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil, where the deal could be finalized. Farmers argue that the agreement, which would allow substantial imports of beef, poultry, and corn, threatens their livelihoods and undermines sustainability. Critics, including former Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, emphasize the need for fair trade regulations that protect local agriculture. The deal, which has been in negotiation for over two decades, faces opposition from multiple European nations, with some lawmakers urging the EU to reject it altogether. Farmers are particularly concerned about the use of pesticides in South American produce and the potential for unfair competition.