Why do French farmers oppose the EU-Mercosur deal?

By Efstratios Evangelos Sotiriadis Tsotsis

French farmers are known for reacting to government policies that risk increasing competition. This time, however, the French government has joined them against the adoption of a free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur states. 

Over the past few months, farmers across France have taken to the streets to protest the EU–Mercosur agreement, stating that the unfair competition caused by Latin American products flowing into European markets poses a significant risk to both agriculture and consumers. According to the protesting associations, South American imports fail to meet EU food safety standards, while European farmers face increasingly strict regulations under the Green Deal."

Due to the strong opposition expressed by several EU Member States, the European Commission is trying to ensure that guidelines and a specific import quota on products are enforced. Yet, the French do not seem to be convinced about it. On the other side of the Atlantic, South American counterparts are not willing to negotiate the rules of production any further. 

France's Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard raised concerns about the environmental effects of deforestation in South America and the use of hormones in meat-based products, such as beef and poultry. At the European level, French President Emmanuel Macron also publicly voiced his opposition to the deal and tried to gather allies from Poland, Italy and Austria to block it  (EU rules require at least four member states representing over 35% of the EU’s population to veto it).