French Farmers Protest: Dozens of French farmers blocked the N12 highway near Paris with tractors to protest the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement, warning it could devastate European agriculture.br br Protesters say the deal would open EU markets to cheaper South American imports while French farmers face stricter environmental rules, herd culling and rising production costs. Farmers argue they have had no say in negotiations and fear unfair competition.br br The protest is part of a wider wave of agricultural actions across France as the European Commission pushes member states to approve the agreement.