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French farmers drove around 350 tractors through Paris on Tuesday to protest what they say are low incomes and the EU trade deal with South America that threatens their livelihoods.
The tractor entered Paris through Porte Dauphine shortly after 6 a.m., escorted by police, and roared down Rue Foch toward the Arc de Triomphe, then along the Champs-Elysées.
The motorcade roared through rush-hour traffic as it crossed the Seine and arrived at Parliament.
The protests were led by the FNSEA farmers’ union and the young farmers’ union, which called for “concrete and immediate action” to protect France’s food security.
The demonstration took place days before the final signing of the EU-Mercosur trade deal, scheduled to take place in Paraguay on Saturday. The agreement will create a free trade area between the EU and Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.
“If there are too many rules, there will be no rules.”
European farmers have long criticized the Mercosur agreement, saying it floods the market with cheap imports. The deal was approved by a qualified majority of EU member states on Friday, despite opposition from France, Poland, Austria, Hungary and Ireland.
President Emmanuel Macron and his government oppose the trade deal, but it is expected to be signed anyway as most other EU countries support it.
“If we want to protect food sovereignty, we should be allowed to practice our profession,” said Fabrice Moulin, a grain farmer from Eure. “We’re not advocating anarchy, but we have too many rules and the rules are ruined. Today, we can no longer make a living from our activities.”
“French livestock must be prioritized over Brazilian livestock,” says Baptiste Zad, who runs a mixed farm and livestock farm in Yvelines.
A sign on the tractor reads: “There is no country without farmers” and “No farmers means no food.”
Government spokeswoman Maud Brejon said on Tuesday that the government would soon make new announcements to support farmers.
“Dialogue and exchanges continue,” he said, particularly on “power transmission, revenue issues, water issues and climate change adaptation.”
“Deep” anger, “just” demands
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard acknowledged Friday that farmers’ anger was “deep” and that their demands were “justified.”
He announced a 300 million euro aid package to support grain producers, wine producers and livestock farmers, but the measures are not enough to quell the protests and are largely dependent on the adoption of the 2026 budget.
Farmers also carried out filtration operations and blockades in Le Havre, one of France’s major commercial ports, as well as Bayonne and La Rochelle.
Since the weekend, farmers have been inspecting refrigerated trucks at ports to confirm the origin of their products.
Justin Lemaître, general secretary of the Seine-Maritime Jeune agricultural association, said the checks identified “foreign flour, soups made with Thai vegetables and products that do not have the same production standards as in France.”
The Ministry of Interior reported 55 incidents involving 2,400 people and 1,000 vehicles in 31 departments.
The Pont de la Concorde and Rue d’Orsay remained closed to traffic on Tuesday. A rally was held on Rue d’Orsay.