FNSEA president Arnaud Rousseau announced on France Inter on Wednesday the start of a nationwide mobilization of farmers scheduled for next Monday. His message is clear: the aim is to call on public authorities without disrupting the lives of the French. “We don’t want to be an inconvenience to the public. For the moment, freeways are not concerned,” he explains

This mobilization will take place “in all départements” over several days, coinciding with the G20 summit in Brazil, in the hope of making France’s position heard. Arnaud Rousseau wishes to draw attention to the concerns of farmers, particularly in the face of the possible signing of a free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.

This agreement, which has been under discussion for over twenty years, would authorize the import of some 90,000 to 100,000 tonnes of beef from Latin America every year. France remains firmly opposed to this project, fearing its impact on national agricultural sectors.

Next Wednesday, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier will travel to Brussels to meet Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and reaffirm France’s position against this agreement, which the European Union hopes to conclude by the end of the year.