France slams ‘illegal’ farmers protest as tractors blockade Paris landmarks
Protesting French farmers entered the centre of Paris and reached the Eiffel Tower on Thursday with more heading to the French capital amid anger over a free trade agreement between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur and the way the government is handling a cattle disease.
Issued on: 08/01/2026
By: FRANCE 24
Protesting French farmers entered the centre of Paris and reached the Eiffel Tower on Thursday with more heading to the French capital amid anger over a free trade agreement between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur and the way the government is handling a cattle disease.
Issued on: 08/01/2026
By: FRANCE 24
Tractors are parked in front of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris as French farmers protest against the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement on January 8, 2025. © Sarah Meyssonnier, Reuters
French farmers blockaded sites in Paris on Thursday in protest against a sweeping trade deal the European Union is poised to sign with South American nations and other local grievances.
The farmers overran police checkpoints to enter the city, driving along the Champs-Élysées avenue and blocking the road around the Arc de Triomphe monument before dawn, while police surrounded them.
The rightwing Coordination Rurale union had called for protests in the capital amid anger against a free trade agreement between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur, which they fear may flood the country with cheap food imports, and the way the government is handling a cattle disease.
"We are between resentment and despair. We have a feeling of abandonment, like with Mercosur. We have been abandoned in favour of a space shuttle, an Airbus, or a car," Stéphane Pelletier, the deputy president of the union in Vienne, in central France, told Reuters.
French farmers blockaded sites in Paris on Thursday in protest against a sweeping trade deal the European Union is poised to sign with South American nations and other local grievances.
The farmers overran police checkpoints to enter the city, driving along the Champs-Élysées avenue and blocking the road around the Arc de Triomphe monument before dawn, while police surrounded them.
The rightwing Coordination Rurale union had called for protests in the capital amid anger against a free trade agreement between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur, which they fear may flood the country with cheap food imports, and the way the government is handling a cattle disease.
"We are between resentment and despair. We have a feeling of abandonment, like with Mercosur. We have been abandoned in favour of a space shuttle, an Airbus, or a car," Stéphane Pelletier, the deputy president of the union in Vienne, in central France, told Reuters.
French farmers rolled into Paris on tractors Thursday morning in a show of dissent against a free trade deal they fear will create unfair competition. © Thomas Samson, AFP
The action drew a swift from rebuke from the government, which warned it would "not stand by" and allow "illegal" actions.
Blocking a motorway or "attempting to gather in front of the National Assembly with all the symbolism that this entails is once again illegal", government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told France Info Radio.
The protest comes days after the European Commission proposed making 45 billion euros of EU funding available earlier to farmers and agreed to cut import duties on some fertilizers in a bid to win over countries wavering in their support of Mercosur.
Italy poised to back deal
The EU-Mercosur deal would create the world's biggest free-trade area and help the 27-nation bloc to export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America.
But farmers fear being undercut by a flow of cheaper goods from agricultural giant Brazil and its neighbours.
The deal is backed by countries such as Germany and Spain and the Commission appeared to have won Italy's backing, meaning it would have the votes needed to approve the trade accord with or without French support. A vote on the deal is expected on Friday.
READ MOREEU poised to secure Italy's backing for contentious Mercosur deal
Farmers are also demanding an end to cow culling prompted by a series of highly contagious lumpy skin disease, which they consider excessive and advocate for vaccination instead.
In another protest near the southwestern city of Bordeaux, about 40 farm vehicles blocked access to a fuel depot, according to the local authorities.
During earlier protests, farmer blocked roads, sprayed manure and dumped garbage in front of government offices to force the authorities to review their policy.
Belgian farmers have also staged mass protests against the trade deal, rolling some 1,000 tractors into Brussels in December.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
The action drew a swift from rebuke from the government, which warned it would "not stand by" and allow "illegal" actions.
Blocking a motorway or "attempting to gather in front of the National Assembly with all the symbolism that this entails is once again illegal", government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told France Info Radio.
The protest comes days after the European Commission proposed making 45 billion euros of EU funding available earlier to farmers and agreed to cut import duties on some fertilizers in a bid to win over countries wavering in their support of Mercosur.
Italy poised to back deal
The EU-Mercosur deal would create the world's biggest free-trade area and help the 27-nation bloc to export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America.
But farmers fear being undercut by a flow of cheaper goods from agricultural giant Brazil and its neighbours.
The deal is backed by countries such as Germany and Spain and the Commission appeared to have won Italy's backing, meaning it would have the votes needed to approve the trade accord with or without French support. A vote on the deal is expected on Friday.
READ MOREEU poised to secure Italy's backing for contentious Mercosur deal
Farmers are also demanding an end to cow culling prompted by a series of highly contagious lumpy skin disease, which they consider excessive and advocate for vaccination instead.
In another protest near the southwestern city of Bordeaux, about 40 farm vehicles blocked access to a fuel depot, according to the local authorities.
During earlier protests, farmer blocked roads, sprayed manure and dumped garbage in front of government offices to force the authorities to review their policy.
Belgian farmers have also staged mass protests against the trade deal, rolling some 1,000 tractors into Brussels in December.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
Angry French farmers defy ban and block Paris streets over Mercosur deal
French farmers defied a government ban on Thursday, blockading roads into Paris and several of the city’s landmarks to protest against the Mercosur trade deal the European Union is expected to sign on Friday with South American nations.
Issued on: 08/01/2026-RFI
Around 100 tractors were positioned at several symbolic locations in the capital by 8am local time, including near the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, the Interior Ministry said.
Farmers overran police checkpoints to enter the city, driving along the Champs-Elysées and blocking roads around the Arc de Triomphe before dawn, while police surrounded them.
Dozens of tractors also blocked highways leading into Paris ahead of the morning rush hour, including the A13 from the western suburbs and Normandy. The transport minister said the disruption caused traffic jams stretching 150 kilometres.
“We are between resentment and despair. We have a feeling of abandonment, with Mercosur being an example,” Stephane Pelletier, a senior member of the right-wing Coordination Rurale union, told Reuters.
Eve of Mercosur vote
The protest added pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and his government, a day before European Union member states are expected to vote on the trade accord.
France has long opposed the deal and, even after last-minute concessions, Macron’s final position remained unclear.
Earlier this week, the European Commission proposed bringing forward 45 billion euros in EU funding for farmers under the bloc’s next seven-year budget. It also agreed to cut import duties on some fertilisers to win over countries wavering on the Mercosur deal.
Germany and Spain back the agreement, and the Commission appears close to securing Italy's support. That would give the EU enough votes to approve the accord, with or without France.
EU offers farmers extra funds to quell anger over Mercosur deal
A vote on the accord is expected on Friday.
“This treaty is still not acceptable,” Bregeon said on France Info, declining to say whether Macron would vote for the deal, against it or abstain.
On Wednesday, Bruno Retailleau, leader of the conservative Republicans party, warned that Macron’s support for Mercosur could put the government at risk of censure.
Farmers are also demanding an end to a government policy of culling cows to contain the highly contagious lumpy skin disease. They argue vaccination should be used instead.
(with newswires)
French farmers defied a government ban on Thursday, blockading roads into Paris and several of the city’s landmarks to protest against the Mercosur trade deal the European Union is expected to sign on Friday with South American nations.
Issued on: 08/01/2026-RFI
Around 100 tractors were positioned at several symbolic locations in the capital by 8am local time, including near the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, the Interior Ministry said.
Farmers overran police checkpoints to enter the city, driving along the Champs-Elysées and blocking roads around the Arc de Triomphe before dawn, while police surrounded them.
Dozens of tractors also blocked highways leading into Paris ahead of the morning rush hour, including the A13 from the western suburbs and Normandy. The transport minister said the disruption caused traffic jams stretching 150 kilometres.
“We are between resentment and despair. We have a feeling of abandonment, with Mercosur being an example,” Stephane Pelletier, a senior member of the right-wing Coordination Rurale union, told Reuters.
Tractors defy a prefectoral ban and line up in front of the Eiffel Tower on Thursday morning. © Christophe Ena / АР
Banned protest
Farmers from several unions had called for protests in Paris, fearing the planned free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of four South American countries would flood the European Union with cheap food imports.
They are also angry over the government's handling of an outbreak of cattle disease.
The farmers went ahead with the action despite a prefectural ban announced on Wednesday, which barred tractors from entering certain sensitive areas of the capital.
“What is happening this morning is illegal,” said government spokesperson Maud Bregeon on FranceInfo public radio.
Police sought to avoid clashes with the protesters. “Farmers are not our enemies,” said Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.
Banned protest
Farmers from several unions had called for protests in Paris, fearing the planned free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of four South American countries would flood the European Union with cheap food imports.
They are also angry over the government's handling of an outbreak of cattle disease.
The farmers went ahead with the action despite a prefectural ban announced on Wednesday, which barred tractors from entering certain sensitive areas of the capital.
“What is happening this morning is illegal,” said government spokesperson Maud Bregeon on FranceInfo public radio.
Police sought to avoid clashes with the protesters. “Farmers are not our enemies,” said Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.
A farmer from the Coordination Rurale union stands next to a tractor parked in front of the Arc de Triomphe. © Sarah Meyssonnier / Reuters
What to know about the EU-Mercosur deal
What to know about the EU-Mercosur deal
Eve of Mercosur vote
The protest added pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and his government, a day before European Union member states are expected to vote on the trade accord.
France has long opposed the deal and, even after last-minute concessions, Macron’s final position remained unclear.
Earlier this week, the European Commission proposed bringing forward 45 billion euros in EU funding for farmers under the bloc’s next seven-year budget. It also agreed to cut import duties on some fertilisers to win over countries wavering on the Mercosur deal.
Germany and Spain back the agreement, and the Commission appears close to securing Italy's support. That would give the EU enough votes to approve the accord, with or without France.
EU offers farmers extra funds to quell anger over Mercosur deal
A vote on the accord is expected on Friday.
“This treaty is still not acceptable,” Bregeon said on France Info, declining to say whether Macron would vote for the deal, against it or abstain.
On Wednesday, Bruno Retailleau, leader of the conservative Republicans party, warned that Macron’s support for Mercosur could put the government at risk of censure.
Farmers are also demanding an end to a government policy of culling cows to contain the highly contagious lumpy skin disease. They argue vaccination should be used instead.
(with newswires)
Farmers storm Paris with tractors to oppose EU-Mercosur free trade deal
Copyright AP Photo
By Euronews
Published on
French farmers drove about 100 tractors into the French capital, protesting Brussels' trade deal with five South American nations. The protesters bypassed police barriers to reach landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
French farmers forced their way into central Paris with around 100 tractors on Thursday to protest the EU's intention to sign the Mercosur free trade agreement with South American nations, despite police blockades meant to keep them out of the capital.
The French Interior Ministry said about 20 tractors reached the French capital's city centre, with some parking near the Arc de Triomphe and others demonstrating in front of the Eiffel Tower.
The convoys "bypassed and forced their way" through police barriers, the ministry said, while most tractors were stopped at key traffic arteries marking the city's limits.
The A13 motorway was closed from 5.53 am in the direction of Paris following the demonstrations.
The protest was organised by the Rural Coordination union to pressure France's government, which opposes the trade deal covering Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. French farmers say the agreement would damage their livelihoods.
José Perez, president of Rural Coordination in the Lot-et-Garonne region, said farmers wanted to express their demands "closer to those who have the power". He told the Associated Press the demonstration was "a strong symbol".
Farmers are also angry about the government's sanitary measures to control lumpy skin disease in cattle. Near Bordeaux, around 40 farm vehicles blocked access to the DPA oil depot in Bassens from 10 pm on Wednesday, according to the Gironde prefecture.
The EU this week renewed internal negotiations over the trade agreement, with speculation a deal could be signed in Paraguay next Monday.
Germany and other supporters may be able to override objections from France and Poland, whose fierce opposition derailed the deal last month.
French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard reaffirmed France's opposition on Wednesday, saying the agreement threatens beef, chicken, sugar, ethanol and honey production.
Rural Coordination called for a demonstration in front of the National Assembly at 10 am as part of the nationwide protest movement. Authorities have deployed a heavy police presence around central Paris landmarks.
EU offers farmers extra funds to quell anger over Mercosur deal
The EU has offered a carrot to farmers angered at a trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur, promising to unlock funds for the sector as EU agriculture ministers are due to gather in Brussels Wednesday for an extraordinary meeting to try to get the accord over the line.
Issued on: 07/01/2026 - RFI
A tractor blocks the traffic during a farmers protest against the Mercosur trade deal on 18 December, 2025 in Portet-sur-Garonne, southwestern France. AP - Fred Scheiber
The European Commission said Tuesday it plans to tweak its budget proposal for 2028-2034, which has come under fire from agricultural groups, to allow farmers early access to around 45 billion euros.
The move comes amid a push to ease the qualms of some countries over the Mercosur deal that Brussels hopes to ink on 12 January in Paraguay.
It was welcomed by Italy, which holds the deciding vote on the accord.
"This is a positive and significant step forward in the negotiations that will lead to the new EU budget," said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
More than 25 years in the making, the Mercosur deal would create the world's biggest free-trade area, boosting trade between the 27-nation EU and the bloc comprising Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay.
But it has alarmed many European farmers who fear they will be undercut by a flow of cheaper goods from agricultural giant Brazil and its neighbours.
Thousands protested in Brussels last month, venting their anger also at EU plans to overhaul its system of farm subsidies, which critics say would result in farmers receiving less money.
Farmers descend on Brussels to protest EU Mercosur trade deal
Extraordinary meeting
In a letter Tuesday, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen unveiled budget changes she said would "provide the farmers and rural communities with an unprecedented level of support".
The letter was released as EU agriculture ministers are due to gather in Brussels on Wednesday for an extraordinary meeting to try to get the Mercosur deal over the line.
Member states are expected to then vote on the text on Friday, which the commission hopes will clear the way for its signature.
Plans to seal the accord in December ran into a late roadblock as heavyweights Italy and France demanded a postponement over concerns for the farming sector.
Germany and Spain are strongly in favour of the agreement, believing it will provide a welcome boost to their industries, hampered by Chinese competition and tariffs in the United States.
Trump's tariffs come into force, upending economic ties with Europe
The deal would help the EU export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America at a time of global trade tensions.
In return, it would facilitate the entry into Europe of South American meat, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans.
(with AFP)
The European Commission said Tuesday it plans to tweak its budget proposal for 2028-2034, which has come under fire from agricultural groups, to allow farmers early access to around 45 billion euros.
The move comes amid a push to ease the qualms of some countries over the Mercosur deal that Brussels hopes to ink on 12 January in Paraguay.
It was welcomed by Italy, which holds the deciding vote on the accord.
"This is a positive and significant step forward in the negotiations that will lead to the new EU budget," said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
More than 25 years in the making, the Mercosur deal would create the world's biggest free-trade area, boosting trade between the 27-nation EU and the bloc comprising Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay.
But it has alarmed many European farmers who fear they will be undercut by a flow of cheaper goods from agricultural giant Brazil and its neighbours.
Thousands protested in Brussels last month, venting their anger also at EU plans to overhaul its system of farm subsidies, which critics say would result in farmers receiving less money.
Farmers descend on Brussels to protest EU Mercosur trade deal
Extraordinary meeting
In a letter Tuesday, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen unveiled budget changes she said would "provide the farmers and rural communities with an unprecedented level of support".
The letter was released as EU agriculture ministers are due to gather in Brussels on Wednesday for an extraordinary meeting to try to get the Mercosur deal over the line.
Member states are expected to then vote on the text on Friday, which the commission hopes will clear the way for its signature.
Plans to seal the accord in December ran into a late roadblock as heavyweights Italy and France demanded a postponement over concerns for the farming sector.
Germany and Spain are strongly in favour of the agreement, believing it will provide a welcome boost to their industries, hampered by Chinese competition and tariffs in the United States.
Trump's tariffs come into force, upending economic ties with Europe
The deal would help the EU export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America at a time of global trade tensions.
In return, it would facilitate the entry into Europe of South American meat, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans.
(with AFP)
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