France: Producers reject Mercosur agreement by throwing potatoes at Parliament

French farmers staged an unusual protest on Friday, January 16, outside the French Parliament in Paris, dumping tons of potatoes in the street as a sign of their rejection of the trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur. Trucks loaded with agricultural products unloaded sacks of potatoes in front of the legislative building, in an action intended to highlight the sector’s discontent.

Images of piles of potatoes covering the street quickly went viral and became a symbol of agricultural discontent, at a time when producers are denouncing that the treaty will allow the massive entry of food from countries such as Argentina,  Brazil, Paraguay  and Uruguay, affecting the competitiveness of European agriculture.

This demonstration is part of a broader protest movement that has intensified in recent weeks, with farmers mobilizing in tractors, surrounding the National Assembly, and blocking roads and ports. The protesters argue that South American products are produced under less stringent environmental and labor standards, leading to unfair competition, lower prices, and reduced rural incomes in France.

The conflict comes as European Union institutions move toward ratifying the treaty, despite opposition from several member states. The protests have reignited the political debate in France and Brussels, with demands for stronger safeguards and state support to protect the agricultural sector. Farmers’ unions have warned they will continue the demonstrations until they obtain concrete commitments guaranteeing the protection of local production.