Under discussion for 25 years, the free trade treaty between the EU and several South American countries could well be signed in the coming weeks. In France, where the government is trying to veto this agreement, the agricultural world is worried about massive imports of meat and cereals. Multiple actions are planned starting this weekend.
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Mélanie Gruet, the president of the Young Farmers (JA) of Doubs, does not beat around the bush. The mobilization announced for the coming days throughout France, at the call of the FNSEA, “It’s warning of the future death of agriculture.”
A year after large-scale demonstrations throughout France, which revealed, once again, the reasons for the crisis shaking the profession, farmers will once again be on the roads starting this weekend to express their anger in the face of a new threat: Mercosur.
The free trade treaty between the European Union and several South American countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia)has been discussed for almost 25 years, and it could be signed in the coming weeks. Direct consequence on farms: the fear of seeing millions of tonnes of meat arriving in France at knockdown prices which will not be required to respect the standards in force in the old continent.
“What is annoying is that it is a European policy, we have the impression that it is a battle lost in advancesighs Mélanie Gruet. A year ago, we were talking about income, now that is the main risk, the standards, we are not on the same equal footing.”
If the European Commission ensures that: “Any Mercosur product must meet strict EU food safety standards”the question of traceability from birth to slaughter products is not insured.
Mercosur is taking us out of our hinges. We cannot say that we must move French agriculture upmarket, and at the same time go look for meat on the other side of the Atlantic.”
Florent Dornier, FDSEA president of Doubs.
Among the JA du Doubs, the mobilization “will attack Monday evening”says Mélanie Gruet. “We’re going to keep a little surprise” on the mode of action, but it will be done on the “last year’s principle”, “in connection with the village signs. This is the national watchword.”
“It will not be dismantled”predicts the Doubian president of the JA. But she warns: “It’s the first act, the idea is to build to a crescendo.”
While several municipalities, a year later, still have their panels returned, they will once again illustrate agricultural mobilization. On the side of the Haute-Saône Rural Coordination, “tarpaulins” are planned for this weekend, like the union's multiple actions on road radars. “No damage, no bent signage, something clean. There would be repercussions in the event of damage”warns Florian Dirand, president of the union in Haute-Saône.
The watchword would be purchasing centers. This is quite an important lever to keep the pressure on. If we block the power plants, the big stores will shake the government.
Florian Dirand, president of the union in Haute-Saône.
The CR, which represents 20% of farmers in France, plans to launch the mobilization after its national congress, scheduled for the beginning of the week. No rush therefore, rather the desire to “maintain movement over time”hopes Florian Dirand.
For its part, the FDSEA of Haute-Saône has planned a barbecue on Sunday evening in front of the department prefecture in Vesoul. “Dismantling the panels in the municipalities, taking them to the prefecture, and exchanging them with neighboring municipalities”predicts Emmanuel Aebischer, president of the FDSEA 70.
When motorists arrive in a town, they will see this message: “If you are lost, so are we.”
Emmanuel Aebischer, president of FDSEA 70.
In the Jura, thes JA have planned two rallies and opposition fires from 6:45 p.m. Monday evening, Boulevard de l'Europe in Lons-le-Saunier and Place de l'Europe in Dole, according to information from Le Progrès.
The JA of Jura also planned to rename the names of villages with South American towns, a mode of action also observed in Burgundy.
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