The French government reiterated Tuesday in the National Assembly its firm opposition to the EU-Mercosur free trade treaty, “as the (European) Commission envisaged it”. He recorded the support of Poland which formalized its refusal of the agreement as it stands.
“Under current conditions”, this draft agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) does not guarantee “conditions of fair competition for our farmers”, declared the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard. But it would be “irresponsible for France to oppose in advance and in principle any free trade agreement,” she added, opening the debates which will be followed by a non-binding vote by deputies.
Warsaw confirms its refusal
France is in any case no longer alone in its refusal: “the Polish Council of Ministers has decided to vote against”, welcomed Annie Genevard, an announcement confirmed by Warsaw. A good part of the French left and far right, however, believe that this opposition from Paris to the treaty, only as it stands and not definitively, is insufficient.
On the ground, farmers continued to increase their actions. At midday, some 660 farmers were carrying out around twenty actions in 15 departments, according to the latest report from the authorities, which mention in particular operations on supermarket logistics platforms. Less than a year after a historic mobilization, farmers believe they have not obtained enough concrete progress.
