On Sept. 26, French farmers staged nationwide protests—blocking highways with tractors and checking imports at supermarkets—to oppose the EU-Mercosur trade deal and EU agricultural import rules, highlighting fears for their livelihoods.
PARIS – Across France, the rumble of tractors replaced the hum of highway traffic on September 26, as thousands of farmers took to the streets (and roads) in a massive show of dissent. Their target? The European Union’s proposed trade deal with Mercosur (the South American trade bloc) and what they call “unfair” EU agricultural import policies—issues they say threaten to cripple their businesses and erase generations of farming heritage.
Protests Go Viral: Tractors, Supermarket Checks, and a Clear Message
By dawn, major highways like the A1 (connecting Paris to Lille) and A6 (linking Paris to Lyon) were gridlocked, as convoys of tractors—some draped in French flags or signs reading “Our Farms, Our Future”—formed impromptu blockades. In rural towns and suburban areas alike, farmers didn’t stop at roads: they descended on supermarkets, calmly inspecting produce aisles to identify imported fruits, vegetables, and meats, holding up signs that asked shoppers, “Do you know where your food comes from?”
The scenes, shared widely on Twitter and Facebook, struck a chord with many French citizens. On Twitter, the hashtag #FarmersFightEU trended in France by mid-morning, with videos of tractor convoys garnering millions of views. “This isn’t just about tractors—it’s about feeding our families,” one farmer, Jean-Luc Moreau, told a local reporter in Toulouse. “If the EU lets in cheap Mercosur beef and soy, we can’t compete. It’s that simple.”
Why the EU-Mercosur Deal Is a Red Line for French Farmers
The EU-Mercosur trade deal, negotiated for over two decades and finalized in 2019 (though not yet fully ratified), is at the heart of the anger. The agreement would lower tariffs on agricultural goods between the EU and Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay)—a move the EU says will boost trade and economic growth. But French farmers see it as a death sentence.
“Mercosur countries have lower labor and environmental standards,” explains Dr. Marie Lefèvre, an agricultural economist at Paris-Sorbonne University, who has studied EU trade policy for 15 years. “Their beef production, for example, often uses more pesticides and pays workers far less than French farms. If those products flood EU markets at lower prices, French farmers—who follow stricter rules—can’t keep up. It’s a race to the bottom.”
The concerns aren’t just economic. Many farmers also worry about food safety. “We’re held to strict standards: no GMOs, limited pesticide use, animal welfare rules,” says Sophie Dubois, a dairy farmer in Normandy. “Mercosur imports don’t always meet those standards. Why should we be punished for doing the right thing?”
EU Response: A Divide Between Promises and Action
EU officials have tried to calm tensions, with Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski issuing a statement on September 26 acknowledging farmers’ “legitimate concerns.” He promised “additional safeguards” for EU agriculture, including stricter checks on imported goods and financial support for farmers hit by price drops. But for many protesters, the words ring hollow.
“We’ve heard promises before,” says Moreau, who has farmed in the Loire Valley for 25 years. “After the EU-Canada trade deal, we lost 30% of our wheat sales. Now they want to do the same with Mercosur? We won’t let it happen.”
The protests also highlight a broader divide within the EU. While countries like Germany and the Netherlands support the Mercosur deal (seeing benefits for their manufacturing sectors), agricultural powerhouses like France, Italy, and Spain have pushed back. On Facebook, French President Emmanuel Macron faced a flood of criticism, with many users accusing him of “abandoning farmers” to curry favor with EU leaders.
What’s Next? Protests Likely to Escalate Without Change
As the day ended, farmers in Paris gathered outside the EU’s representative office, lighting candles and holding a vigil for “the future of French farming.” Organizers say if the EU doesn’t delay the Mercosur deal and revise import policies by October 10, they’ll escalate protests—possibly targeting EU institutions in Brussels.
For now, the message from French farmers is clear: they’re not backing down. “Farming isn’t just a job—it’s part of who we are,” Dubois says, wiping a tear as she looks out at her herd of cows. “We’ll fight for this land, for our families, and for every French person who cares about where their food comes from.”
On social media, the support continues to grow. A Twitter poll by French news outlet Le Monde found 72% of respondents back the farmers’ protests, with one user writing, “If we lose our farmers, we lose France. Simple as that.” As the EU weighs its next move, one thing is certain: the voices of French farmers won’t be silenced anytime soon.