Khaberni - Aboard tractors, about a hundred farmers entered central Paris on Thursday to protest against the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc.
The Mercosur bloc includes countries like Brazil, and joining it could lead to the influx of cheap food goods into Europe, possibly resulting in lower incomes and profits for European farmers.
In statements to Europe1 radio, Bertrand Ventoux, president of the second largest farming union in France, said: "I have completed the mission".
After holding a meeting with the presidents of both parliamentary houses, Bertrand Ventoux said: "Deputies have contributed to the demise of French agriculture over the past thirty years".
The latest statements from the French government and the European Union did not satisfy the "Rural Coordination" union, known for its opposition to the proposed free trade deal between the European Union and the Latin American Mercosur countries.
The union also opposes the government's management of the spread of nodular dermatitis among cattle, a matter that sparked farmer protests in December in southwestern France.
Ventoux affirmed on the "BFM TV" television channel, "We have received no response", denouncing a "French" issue related to excessively restrictive standards, and reiterating the far-right union's proposal in the southwest to abolish environmental agencies.
Union representatives met with parliamentary officials in front of the Arc de Triomphe, and then in front of the National Assembly. Tractors also lined up in front of the Eiffel Tower before dawn, carrying banners that read: "No to Mercosur".
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most important tourist attractions, visited on average by 7 million people annually, 80% of whom are foreigners, generating total annual revenue of 78.5 million euros.
Closing the streets leading to it with tractors will equally attract the attention of both French and foreign people to the farmers' demands.
National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet briefly went to meet the demonstrators around 11:00 AM (10:00 GMT), where she was greeted by boos and insults from some attendees who demanded her resignation.
Illegal Movements
The Interior Ministry reported that about 100 tractors entered Paris, "but most of them were stopped at the entrances to the city".
Government spokeswoman Maud Brégion said on Thursday on public radio France Info: "The government will not allow" "illegal" movements by farmers in the capital.
However, Minister of Agriculture Anny Genevar called for "calm" and "dialogue" in dealing with the "legitimate" demands and concerns.
Yesterday, Wednesday, Brussels made progress regarding fertilizers and imports of agricultural products that do not meet the standards applied in Europe, but this progress was not welcomed by farmers.
It is expected that France will vote against this agreement in Brussels on Friday, even if that means it will be in the minority, according to Minister for Parliamentary Relations Laurent Panevos.
But the final French stance will be announced by the Prime Minister and the President, according to Maud Brégion, as Ireland also declared on Thursday that it would vote against the trade agreement.
This agreement, which took over 25 years to prepare, would create one of the largest free trade areas in the world, thereby boosting trade between the 27-country European Union and the Mercosur bloc, which includes Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay.
However, many European farmers fear the inflow of cheaper goods from Brazil and its neighbors.
