French Farmers' Union Coordination Rurale Launches Nationwide Protests Against Government Policies and EU-Mercosur Deal

On January 8, 2026, the Coordination Rurale (CR), France's second-largest agricultural union, spearheaded widespread protests opposing French government agricultural policies and the upcoming EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. The demonstrations, characterized by peaceful but impactful blockades and public rallies, highlighted farmers' deep dissatisfaction with official measures on livestock disease control and international trade.

A centerpiece of the protest was the blockade of the Bassens oil depot "Docks des pétroles d’Ambès" in Gironde, a vital facility responsible for 5% of France's fuel distribution. Farmers from multiple departments, including Landes, Pyrénées Atlantiques, Lot-et-Garonne, and Gironde, gathered despite local bans on tractor convoys. Their aim was to disrupt fuel traffic to exert financial pressure on the government, particularly over handling of the nodular dermatitis epidemic. Coordination Rurale co-president Fabrice Lagueyt explained, "We are here to paralyze fuel traffic, hoping to impact the state financially and prompt a reaction," emphasizing the peaceful nature of the protest and the necessity of government attention.

Simultaneously in Paris, CR members demonstrated against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement and criticized European regulations they argue harm French farmers. Protesters bore placards with slogans like "Foutez-nous la paix, laissez-nous travailler" (Leave us alone, let us work) and "servir et ne pas se servir" (Serve and not to serve), highlighting grievances around the systematic culling of cattle due to nodular dermatitis and broader agricultural policies perceived as unsupportive. The union, often overshadowed by the dominant FNSEA, is known for its direct-action approach.

The protests reflect farmers' calls for greater consideration in policy decisions affecting their livelihoods, especially as the Mercosur deal awaits a European Union member states' vote. Negotiations between the Coordination Rurale and local authorities were anticipated following the blockades, with the union planning additional actions regionally.

These events underscore ongoing tensions in France's agricultural sector, balancing disease management, protectionism, and international trade pressures.