The return of farmers to the roundabouts. This Thursday, November 14, 2024 in the evening, they occupied the ground in the Meuse. They fear the planned agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. New actions are already planned in the coming weeks.
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No blockages, no tractors, no manure but banners and symbols at the side of the road.like this coffin to clearly show what we have to say” explains Thomas Voisin, a young 21-year-old farmer, on France 3 Lorraine, “we added a fed-up to the fed-up of last year“. This Thursday, November 14, 2024 in the evening, the action comes down to a general public communication action.
In the Meuse, farmers have invested around ten roundabouts like here in Gondrecourt. Around fifteen young farmers responded to their organization's call. “It's the start of the union actions, we're back in the same place, back to square one.” constate Thomas. “We already had demands last year but we were not heard” says Arnaud Mouton, dairy cow breeder, “nothing was put in place and some breeders have since been seriously affected by BTF, bluetongue. There was loss. But here, we will hold on until we have results.“
Mercosur is an aberration
Arnaud, young farmer in the Meuse
Mercosur has been added to the list of fears and demands. This free trade agreement between the European Union and the alliance of South American countries is on the table of the G20, which is to be held in Brazil on November 18 and 19. “Mercosur is an aberration” Arnaud continues, “It is not normal to recover meat that does not meet the same standards as us. This meat is fed GMOs. Here, breeders produce something else. There are local markets, short circuits… However, we are getting organized.” This unfair competition scares farmers very much. “Settling up and passing on a farm is possible. But living and lasting is not easy” worries Thomas.
Because the list of evils is long according to the demonstrators. “The today's misfortune is not limited to Mercosur” explains Arnaud, “the facilities are suffering with financing, land, cash flow. The administrative side is very complicated. In the milk sector, there have been price increases but the charges are aberrant. It's a shame. general bad luck! Cash flow is the strength of an operation. When there is no more, it is assured death.“
“We are using all means, including institutional and voting means at the European level, to ensure that Mercosur as it stands does not pass.“, declared the Minister of the Economy Antoine Arman. The European Union seems determined to sign a free trade agreement by the end of the year with the Latin American countries of Mercosur, to the great dismay of the France, which refuses it as it stands and is mobilizing to block the decision, France must bring together a blocking minority within the Council, which brings together the member states of the EU.
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