French farmers block Bordeaux Port to protest proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal
Farmers in France escalated their protests against the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and the Southern Common Market, also known as Mercosur, by blocking access to Bordeaux Port with tractors since late Wednesday.
The Coordination Rurale (CR), one of France's leading farmers' unions, is leading the protests, which are concentrated in the country's southwest, according to La Depeche.
Protesters continued to block roads to the port with tractors and dump tires and waste until this report was filed at 0845GMT.
CR representative Karine Duc criticized the port authorities’ role in importing grain that does not meet European standards, emphasizing the farmers' concerns.
The union stated that similar actions will take place in various locations and warned of further protests around state institutions and government buildings from Nov. 25.
Earlier, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier called for a debate in the French National Assembly on the contested trade agreement.
The agreement, which has been under negotiation since 2000, received renewed attention after discussions at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18-19 indicated that it could be finalized soon.
French farmers oppose the agreement, citing concerns over unfair competition.
