French farmers block Paris streets in protest against Mercosur trade deal

French farmers launched a pre-dawn blockade of roads into Paris and several of the city’s landmarks in protest against a sweeping trade deal the European Union hopes soon to sign with South American nations as well as other local grievances.

Farmers from several trade unions called for the protests in Paris amid fears the planned free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc will flood the EU with cheap food imports, and in anger at the government’s handling of a cattle disease.

“We are between resentment and despair.