French farmers mobilize for protests over EU-Mercosur trade deal

PARIS (AP) — French farmers are mobilizing for widespread protests on Monday targeting the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Backed by their government, they argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.

Protests are planned nationwide, including gatherings at prefectures and traffic circles. So far, protests have been small. One group blocked a highway southwest of Paris on Sunday night with tractors. Witnesses at Velizy-Villacoublay said that some 20 tractors stationed by placard-holding farmers overnight on the N118 freeway artery toward Paris had left by late Monday morning.

The European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, composed of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, reached an initial agreement in 2019, but negotiations stumbled due to opposition from farmers and some European governments, particularly France.

“It is unacceptable as it stands,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

But France's hands might be tied.

There are fears the agreement could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil this week, or in the coming weeks. A partial EU-Mercosur deal, with many of the parts that French farmers find unsavory, could be agreed over their heads since France does not hold veto power.

Other nations like Germany and Spain would like to see a far-reaching deal with their South American counterparts.

“There is a certain mythology surrounding Mercosur,” said Spanish Farm Minister Luis Planas Puchades, who argues there is more at stake than just farming.

“Is the European Union interested, at this moment, in closing in on itself?” he asked ahead of an EU farm ministerial meeting on Monday. “Or is it interested, in this particular geopolitical context that we are experiencing, and especially after the North American election, in expanding the network of our trade agreements with third countries to maintain our economic and commercial influence as well? I think the answer is very clear.”

Leading the charge of the new protests in France are unions, who oppose provisions such as duty-free imports of beef, poultry and sugar, which they say create unfair competition. Coordination Rurale, a union linked to the far right, has promised an “agricultural revolt,” including food freight blockades beginning Tuesday in Auch and Agen, in southwestern France.

Proponents of the agreement argue that it would significantly boost economic ties between Europe and South America by eliminating tariffs on European exports, notably for machinery, chemicals and cars, thereby enhancing market access and creating lucrative opportunities for European businesses.

Earlier this year, farmers staged protests across France and elsewhere in Europe, blocking roads and buildings to protest EU regulations and financial problems, demand fairer agricultural policies and oppose the trade agreement.

French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has publicly opposed the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing risks of deforestation and health concerns linked to hormone-treated meat.

In an interview with TF1, she said: “We don’t want this agreement because it’s harmful. It will bring in products, including substances banned in Europe, at the cost of deforestation. It will unfairly compete with our domestic production.”

President Emmanuel Macron has also criticized the agreement unless South American producers meet EU standards.

Farmers say they are further frustrated by a European Commission audit that flagged hormone use in Brazilian beef exports. Their demonstrations aim to pressure the French government and EU officials to block or renegotiate the agreement.

Farmers block a speedway to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 in Velizy-Villacoublay outside Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Farmers block a speedway to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 in Velizy-Villacoublay outside Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Farmers block a speedway to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 in Velizy-Villacoublay outside Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Farmers block a speedway to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 in Velizy-Villacoublay outside Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Farmers block a speedway to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 in Velizy-Villacoublay outside Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Farmers block a speedway to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 in Velizy-Villacoublay outside Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Farmers block a speedway to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 in Velizy-Villacoublay outside Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

A farmer holds a placard that reads, "Macron stop the Mercosur it makes you deaf " as he stands next to tractors on a blocked highway in Velizy-Villacoublay, outside Paris, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A farmers walks between tractors on a blocked highway in Velizy-Villacoublay, outside Paris, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Farmers walk between tractors and cars on a blocked highway in Velizy-Villacoublay, outside Paris, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Cars drive along tractors on a blocked highway in Velizy-Villacoublay, outside Paris, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Farmers hold union flags as they stand between tractors on a blocked highway in Velizy-Villacoublay, outside Paris, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Police officers stand in front of tractors on a blocked highway in Velizy-Villacoublay, outside Paris, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

NEW DELHI (AP) — Authorities in India’s capital shut schools, halted construction and banned non-essential trucks from entering the city on Monday after air pollution shot up to its worst level this season.

Residents of New Delhi woke up to thick, toxic smog enveloping the city of some 33 million as the air quality became increasingly hazardous. It rose further into the severe category, according to SAFAR, the country’s main environmental agency, which measures tiny particulate matter in the air that can enter deep into the lungs.

The deadly haze covered monuments and high-rise buildings in the capital, with visibility so low that airlines warned of delays.

In several areas of the city, pollution levels were more than 50 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit. Forecasts say the poor air quality will continue into the week.

Air pollution in northern India rises every year, particularly in winter, as farmers burn crop residue in agricultural areas. The burning coincides with colder temperatures, which trap the smoke in the air. The smoke is then blown into cities, where auto emissions add to the pollution.

Emissions from industries and the burning of coal to produce electricity are also linked to the pollution, which has been steadily ticking up in recent weeks.

Starting Monday, authorities began enforcing stage 4 of a graded response action plan, or GRAP 4, based on the severity of the air pollution. Earlier stages of the plan were already in place, and stage 4 includes stricter curbs.

Classes for all grades except 10 and 12 will be held online and no trucks will be allowed to enter the city except for those carrying essential items. Some older, diesel guzzling vehicles have been banned inside the city, and all construction activities have been halted. Authorities also urged children, the elderly and others with chronic diseases or respiratory issues to avoid going outside as much as possible.

Over the weekend, farmers in neighboring Uttar Pradesh state burned their fields, releasing plumes of gray smoke that winds likely carried into New Delhi and other nearby areas. Despite the poisonous air, many in the capital continued their usual routines, including morning walks in the city’s beloved Lodhi Garden.

“Everyone has a sore throat," said Sanjay Goel, a 51-year-old shopkeeper in New Delhi. "They should ban crop residue burning ... it's just smoke everywhere.”

The worsening air quality in the capital also sparked outrage from residents on social media. Many complained of headaches and hacking coughs, describing the city as “apocalyptic" and a “gas chamber.” Others urged officials to solve the public health crisis once and for all. Several studies have estimated more than a million Indians die each year from pollution-related diseases.

Authorities have invoked similar measures in the past and have at times deployed water sprinklers and anti-smog guns in an attempt to control the haze. But critics say there needs to be a long-term solution that drastically reduces pollution itself, instead of actions that aim to mitigate the effects after it has already plagued the region.

Farmers burn crop residue after harvest near Bundelkhand expressway some 330 kilometers (206 miles) from New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A farmer burns crop residue after harvest near Bundelkhand expressway some 330 kilometers (206 miles) from New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Farmers burn crop residue after harvest near Bundelkhand expressway some 330 kilometers (206 miles) from New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Farmers burn crop residue after harvest near Bundelkhand expressway some 330 kilometers (206 miles) from New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A woman tends to her goats as farmers burn crop residue after harvest near Bundelkhand expressway some 330 kilometers (206 miles) from New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A person checks his mobile phone as farmers burn crop residue after harvest near Bundelkhand expressway some 330 kilometers (206 miles) from New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Farmers burn crop residue after harvest near Bundelkhand expressway some 330 kilometers (206 miles) from New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Buffalos run across as farmers burn crop residue after harvest near Agra-yamuna expressway at Mandi village some 290 kilometers (181 miles) from New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A commuter drives amidst a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A office goer walks wearing a face mask amidst a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Commuters drive through a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A Delhi government vehicle sprinkles water to control air pollution amidst thick Layer of smog in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A foreign tourist family walks wearing face mask amidst a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Commuters drive through a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Sun is seen through a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A office goer walks wearing a face mask amidst a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

School children play as they return from the school that was closed as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Office goers walk wearing a face mask amidst a thick layer of smog as air pollution shoots up in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A crow rests on a bench on a smoggy morning in Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Rajiv Gupta pets a dog with his wife Manisha Gupta seated beside him in the smog-enveloped Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Bashir Ahmad Mir performs morning exercises surrounded by smog in Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)