Farmers from central France this week began blocking the A7 motorway, a major north–south route linking the cities of Lyon and Marseille, in a protest expected to last several days, according to local media and union organisers.
According to reports, at least 50 tractors from the Loire and Haute-Loire regions, organised by the Coordination Rurale, began taking part in the slow-moving convoy before establishing a full blockade near Pierre-Bénite, close to an industrial zone.
Digging in
The protest responds to both the government’s handling of a cattle nodular dermatitis outbreak and opposition to the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, which farmers say could expose them to unfair competition from cheaper South American imports with lower environmental and sanitary standards.
Authorities have urged motorists to avoid the area. Local officials have been invited to engage with the demonstrators, while national agricultural unions are scheduled to meet with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu early next week. The continuation of the blockade will depend on the outcome of discussions.
On Tuesday, EU ministers met for talks to try to sway colleagues still opposed to the deal ahead of a key vote on Friday.
