"Farmers in France gathered in the northwestern commune of Mont-Saint-Michel on Thursday, amid rising anger over the pending EU-Mercosur deal and government culling policies. Footage shows a convoy of tractors blocking village roads as agricultural workers light fires in protest against EU reforms. "It’s the end of a model, if the EU doesn’t do anything, if the EU doesn’t work at the same level of intra-community help as the US, China or Canada, it’s the complete demise of this system. But this complete demise will be violent. When we look at the people around, they are not 60, I see only young people here," stated Yannick Bodin, General-Secretary of Coordination Rurale Manche. Vincent Lesage, President of Coordination Rurale Manche, says the uprising comes as authorities move to suppress nationwide protests, amid growing fears among farmers over the spread of cattle disease. "We witnessed the relentlessness of the police regarding our colleagues in Ariege, which showed how much our work is not honoured by the State. This was the last straw. […] We have 700.000 cattle, we are terrified that this disease might reach us," he said. Nationwide protests erupted after the government decided to euthanise 200 cows with lumpy skin disease in southern France. The EU's prospective deal with the South American bloc has seen a huge backlash from European farmers concerned about price-undercutting, claiming 'higher' standards on their side will affect competitiveness, and warning of a market 'flooded' with cheap produce. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his disapproval of the deal, stating that "the numbers do not add up." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to be in Brazil for the official signing on Saturday, while France and Italy have called for a delay."