ER Editor: Here’s a compilation of things concerning the latest farmer protests here and there in western Europe, especially France. First, Prof. Richard Werner in conversation with Clayton Morris gives us a decent account of the utter dysfunctionality at the heart of Europe. A decent account, that is, of ‘what we are being asked to believe’.
A reminder that, after a whole 25 years, the massive free trade deal that is Mercosur is finally being passed – by the ambassador class and those generally out of touch with ordinary people. Timing. Werner explains how the farmers, so vital to any country, are getting shafted by the governing class. Hence our title.
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This report from RTFrance is worth a look. Browsers will translate —
Agricultural France on its knees: in 2025, it imports more than it exports, a first since 1978
A pillar of French power for decades, national agriculture is experiencing a historic shift. In 2025, for the first time since 1978, France could post an agricultural trade deficit. A strong signal of loss of sovereignty, the result of Western political choices and submission to the logic of Brussels.
Long presented as an essential agricultural power, France is today seeing its food sovereignty collapse. According to an investigation published by Le Figaro January 8 2025, French agricultural and agri-food products are expected to record a trade deficit in 2025, unheard of in almost half a century.
Already between 2022 and 2024, the surplus was reduced by half. But over 12 months at the end of October, it no longer exceeded 715 million euros, down 87%, according to official figures relayed by Le Figaro. Behind these figures, a reality ignored by French political leaders: France is no longer able to feed its own population.
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Thousands of European Farmers Protest EU-Mercosur Trade Deal
Farmers in Ireland, Poland, France, Belgium, and Italy protest a trade agreement threatening their livelihood and way of life.
TEC NEWS
Thousands of Irish farmers took to the streets on Saturday following the EU’s approval of a free trade agreement with Mercosur countries, expressing fears that South American imports could seriously undermine the competitiveness of European agriculture.
Belgian farmers were also blocking streets in several provinces after Friday’s controversial EU decision.
Irish farmers protest against the EU-Mercosur trade deal in the town of Athlone on January 10, 2026. GARETH CHANEY / AFP
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Despite strong opposition from France and other member states, the European Union approved the trade deal with the Mercosur bloc on Friday.
After consultations between ambassadors in Brussels, a majority of the 27 member states backed the agreement, which is scheduled to be signed in Paraguay in mid-January. EU and Mercosur leaders have hailed the deal as key to boosting exports and international relations, while farmers warn that cheap South American products threaten local production and livelihoods.
In protest, thousands of Irish farmers demonstrated on Saturday, many of them traveling across the country on tractors, opposing the largest free trade agreement ever. The protesters held banners reading: “Don’t sacrifice family farms for German cars,” “Our cows follow the rules, why don’t theirs?” and “Sell yourselves.” The Irish government argues that the agreement does not provide safeguards against weaker food safety standards in South America.
Similar demonstrations took place on Friday in Poland, France, Belgium, and Italy, where farmers in Milan disrupted traffic, dumped barrels of straw, and poured milk in front of the regional council building.
The agreement still requires approval by the European Parliament before entering into force. (ER: So guess what will happen?!) Patriotic European politicians have voiced strong criticism and, like France, Ireland has pledged to push for its rejection during the parliamentary vote.
Source
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Published to The Liberty Beacon from EuropeReloaded.com
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