"French farmers blocked motorways with tractors in the Vendee region on Friday to protest the EU-Mercosur trade deal, which is expected to be signed in Paraguay on January 12. Footage shows the blockages, with bails of hay and vehicles blocking the motorway. Tractors and trailers can be seen carrying messages reading 'Cattle sacrificed', over the recent cull of French cows, 'Mercosur = imported trash meat and dead farms', as well as 'Together let’s defend our safe and healthy agriculture'. Another banner can be seen referring to French Agriculture minister Annie Genevard as 'Annie the butcher'. "To this day nothing has changed," said cattle and poultry farmer Pierre-Jean Besson. He added that the protest was staged during New Years holidays to reduce disruption to working people, but noted that the farmers may be forced to "toughen the tone of the movement, and potentially go a little further, maybe in Paris, maybe a blockade of Paris so that the government understands." Pierre Henriet, a deputy from the Horizons group, noted the need to adapt to global politics but questioned the agreement's timing. "A free trade agreement in 2025, when it comes to the climate and economic stakes, it might not be the best solution," he said. The demonstrations reflect wider European farmer opposition to the Mercosur deal, arguing it exposes them to unfair competition and brings in produce not cultivated in line with strict European quality and safety standards. Negotiated over the course of 25 years, the agreement would eliminate most tariffs over 15 years across a market of roughly 780 million people. Although agreed in principle in December 2024, its final signing was delayed from December 2025 due to political disagreements among EU member states."