“A stab in the back of France”: on TF1, Xavier Bertrand opposes the agreement with Mercosur

This is a clear refusal. Invited this Monday, November 18 on “Bonjour! La Matinale TF1”, Xavier Bertrand spoke about the trade agreement with Mercosur, the main demand of farmers. Their mobilization is resuming and blockages are planned throughout France this Monday, November 18. From dawn, farmers installed a filter dam near Vélizy-Villacoublay, in Yvelines, and demonstrated in front of sub-prefectures, such as in Fontenay-le-Comte, in Vendée.

Farmers don't want to die.

Xavier Bertrand

The president of the Hauts-de-France region is firmly opposed to Mercosur, this trade treaty between the European Union and four South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay): “We must tell the European Commission that, if they validate Mercosur, it is a stab in the back of France, in the back of agriculture.”

“It would be the first time that the European Union considers its future without France and against France”he assures, criticizing that, if the agreement is adopted, chicken raised with products banned in Europe could be imported into France. “European agriculture cannot be achieved without French agriculture.” Xavier Bertrand therefore calls for creating a “blocking minority” between France, Italy and Poland, also not very favorable to Mercosur.

• Read also

  LIVE – Angry farmers: dozens of actions planned, the N118 disrupted

Concerning the measures to be taken in the face of agricultural anger, he asks the government of Michel Barnier to “mark a break from what has been done for years and years”emphasizing a need for “simplification” standards. “Farmers don’t want to die”he concluded.