illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Le Monde or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: French farmers held widespread protests on Monday against the proposed EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, which they argue threatens domestic agriculture by introducing unfair competition
• Demonstrations included roadblocks, tractor parades, and symbolic acts like depositing manure and planting crosses to signify the "death of French agriculture"
• Organized by major unions like FNSEA and Young Farmers (JA), 85 protest points were recorded, with more actions planned for Tuesday

🔭 The context: The EU-Mercosur agreement seeks to expand trade between Europe and Latin American nations, but French farmers fear it will allow imports of products that don’t meet Europe’s rigorous health, environmental, and social standards
• Critics argue this would create a competitive disadvantage for EU farmers, particularly in sectors like beef and soy
• Similar agreements have faced long-standing resistance in France, a nation with strong agricultural protections

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The protests highlight tensions between global trade liberalization and sustainable agricultural practices
• While free trade agreements can boost economic growth, they often raise concerns about environmental degradation, as less-regulated imports may increase deforestation and carbon emissions
• Addressing these disparities is critical to ensuring trade agreements align with climate and sustainability goals

⏭️ What's next: Farmers’ unions are planning further demonstrations, including symbolic actions and roadblocks
• The European Commission’s push to finalize the Mercosur deal faces increasing resistance from France, whose government has previously opposed the agreement
• The protests may influence ongoing negotiations at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro

💬 One quote: "This is a distortion of competition denounced by many farmers" – FNSEA leaders, criticizing the treaty for failing to ensure parity in health and environmental standards

📈 One stat: Over 85 protest points were identified across France on Monday, involving hundreds of farmers from major unions

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