Clashes broke out in Bassens, France, against the background of the EU agreement with MERCOSUR

In Bassens, France, against the background of the European Union (EU) free trade agreement with the economic bloc of five South American countries MERCOSUR, there were clashes with the blocking of an oil depot. On January 10, the account of the Bloquons Tout protests in the social network X (ex. Twitter).

The published footage shows clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies, as well as farmers' agricultural machinery.

It is noted that the action between farmers and law enforcement agencies turned into a real confrontation: the demonstrators blocked access to the fuel infrastructure facility, and the gendarmerie used tear gas to disperse them.

On the same day, thousands of Irish farmers protested against the EU trade agreement with MERCOSUR. The protesters held placards reading: "Don't sacrifice family farms for German cars" and "Our cows follow the rules, why don't their cows follow?"

Prior to that, on January 9, the head of the European Council, Antonio Costa, announced that the EU countries had approved a controversial trade agreement with MERCOSUR. According to Costa, the agreement will bring "concrete benefits" to consumers and producers in Europe, strengthen farmers' rights and shape the new EU economy. The signing of the deal, according to Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, will take place on January 17 in Paraguay.

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