“We reiterated our firm opposition to Mercosur”, indicates Pierrick Orel, president of Young Farmers

In addition to the Mercosur agreement, other subjects of tension were discussed on Tuesday such as the reduction of the next common agricultural policy or the tax on nitrogen fertilizers.

“We reiterated our firm opposition to Mercosur”indicated Tuesday, December 23 to France Inter Pierrick Horel, president of the Young Farmers (JA), who participated in the meeting with the President of the Republic with other agricultural unions such as the FNSEA, the Rural Coordination and the Peasant Confederation. The exchange lasted more than an hour and a half.

For the moment, the free trade agreement with Mercosur is not buried, it is simply postponed to January 2026 at the instigation of France and Italy, after the strong mobilization of European farmers in Brussels on Thursday. More than 4,000 French farmers took part.

Another subject discussed, aid from the next common agricultural policy (CAP) which could fall by 20% or the tax on nitrogen fertilizers. Farmers have reaffirmed their opposition to such schemes. “If answers are not provided at the start of the year, we will resume mobilizations”warn union officials.

To represent the Peasant Confederation, there was Stéphane Galais, its spokesperson, who left “disappointed” of this interview with Emmanuel Macron. According to him, “the purpose of this meeting was to put out the fire on the eve of the holidays”, but “there is no political sign to say that the anger will die down,” he emphasizes. “We did not disconnect the mobilization”he insisted.