Farming union the Fédération Nationale des Syndicats d’Exploitants Agricoles (FNSEA) has called for protests lasting several days ‘in every département of France" from Monday, November 18th “to make France’s voice heard at the G20 summit in Brazil” the union’s president Arnaud Rousseau has said.
But he insisted, unlike previous protests this year, when they blockaded key roads, farmers would not seek to disrupt daily life: “The first message we want to get across to the French is that we're not here to annoy them – we are not targeting the motorways.”
Strike calendar: France braces for a winter of disruption
The country's agricultural sectors fear a potential signing of a free trade agreement by the European Union with Mercosur, made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
A deal between the two blocs has been under discussion for more than 20 years – and includes a quota agreement allowing Latin American farmers to export up to 100,000 tonnes of beef per year to the EU.
Experts believe that the EU wants to sign the agreement by the end of the year, despite French opposition.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Michel Barnier will meet European Commission President Ursula in Brussels to reaffirm France's opposition to the treaty “as it stands”.
The EU trade deal is only one aspect to renewed farmer protests, as many are frustrated that promised government aid has not materialised since the major demos and roadblocks ended in February.
Other farmers' unions, such as Confédération Paysanne and Confédération Rurale have also announced plans for demonstrations in the coming weeks.
Confédération Paysanne will host a rally in front of the French finance ministry at noon on Wednesday, while the anti-EU, right-wing Coordination Rurale, called for "an agricultural revolt, with a food and freight blockade" starting on Tuesday, November 19th.
Some smaller demonstrations have already begun, including a rally in front of the préfecture in Tulle (Corrèze) last Thursday, and at the Deux-Sevres préfecture at the start of the month.
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