The French Interior Ministry counted about a hundred tractors and large agricultural machinery in Paris by lunchtime on January 8, specifies Euronews.
Agrarians from different parts of France came to the capital at the call of one of the unions Coordination rurale. They oppose the intentions of the European Union to conclude a free trade agreement with five South American countries (Mercosur). The farmers are convinced that the agreement with Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay is a direct threat to their livelihoods and to European quality guarantees and standards for agricultural products.
As previously reported Logos Press, the European Union this week resumed internal negotiations on a free trade agreement with five South American countries amid rumors that the agreement could be signed on January 12. The European Commission made concessions to Poland, Italy, France and some other countries opposed to the agreement, offering to increase subsidies to farmers and take measures to curb substandard imports from Mercosur countries. Germany and Spain are actively promoting the signing of the agreement. But there is no firm majority of 15 states to approve the agreement.
