French farmers are mobilizing for widespread protests on Monday targeting the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Backed by their government, they argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.

French farmers staged nationwide protests Monday against an EU-Mercosur trade deal, fearing increased foreign competition. Anger has surged after poor harvests, livestock disease, and delays in

Protests were planned across the country, including gatherings at local government offices and traffic circles. A group used tractors to block a highway south of Paris in the lead-up to this week's events.

A controversial trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur bloc is back in the spotlight with rekindled optimism that the two sides could conclude an agreement before the year is over.On the South American side,

French farmers block road with tractors in protest against EU-Mercosur free trade deal French farmers block road near Paris with tractors, in protest against EU-Mercosur free trade deal and as French President Emmanuel Macron is on tour in Latin America.

French farmers use tractors to block a motorway in protest against the Mercosur bloc trade talks:::: Vélizy-Villacoublay, FranceA push by the European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc to conclude long-running trade negotiations by the end of the year has rekindled anger in France.

French farmers launched Monday a new wave of action to protest the adoption of a trade pact between the European Union and four South American countries they fear would threaten their livelihoods.