The president of France seeks to appease the spirits of local farmers, staunch opponents of a free trade agreement with the South American bloc.
Emmanuel Macron discussed with French farmers and informed them that he will not accompany the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.
Photo: Reuters
He President of France, Emmanuel Macronreaffirmed his rejection of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU)in a search to appease the spirits of local farmers, fierce opponents of a free trade agreement with the South American bloc, due to its potential impacts on the sector itself.
This Saturday, in Salon International de l’Agriculture (SIA)the French president was received with boos and disapproval from farmers, who demonstrated violently against security forces, leaving eight members injured.
The French president said it was “ridiculous that farmers have resorted to violence in a room that is theirs” and stressed that he always prefers dialogue to confrontation” since “confrontation produces nothing.”
Macron questioned whether international trade harms French agriculture
Given the hostile climate generated by producers, Macron promised not to sign the trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU, although he expressed his rejection of the idea that international trade would harm the local agricultural sector.
However, he also assured that he will propose the establishment of “minimum prices”, in an attempt to protect agricultural income, based on a law that regulates the relationships between the different actors in the food industry and establishes greater control over the origin of the products in question. These minimum prices would be based on production cost indicators in each sector.
Olivia Grégoire, Minister of Business, Tourism and Consumer Affairshad opposed a similar measure that was voted on and rejected by Parliament in November last year, claiming that it reminded him of “Cuba wave Soviet Union“However, the agrarian anger that runs through Europe forced the French government to reconsider some options.
Source: Ambito
