
Brussels Burns, the Countryside Holds the Line
The fierce protest by farmers and livestock producers in Brussels delivered an unexpected result: a last-minute delay to the EU–Mercosur agreement.

The fierce protest by farmers and livestock producers in Brussels delivered an unexpected result: a last-minute delay to the EU–Mercosur agreement.

Mercosur and the Green Deal have become the symbols of fierce citizen discontent.

The movement is gaining momentum and is finding resonance in Brussels and Strasbourg.

The demonstration coincides with an EU Council summit and comes hours before Ursula von der Leyen travels to Brazil for talks linked to the Mercosur agreement.

Paris is pushing to postpone a December decision, arguing that key agricultural safeguards remain unfinished as EU leaders enter a week of high-stakes negotiations.

Rebellious farmers do not understand why armoured vehicles are sent to them and never to suburban rioters.

Scandal-hit Athens has said it is open to discussions and has urged farmers to end the blockades.

Arrests in Westminster and accusations of “two-tier Britain” sharpen a brewing rural revolt against Labour’s fiscal plans.

Representatives for the ag sector insist there is still time for the government to reverse its damaging inheritance tax reforms.

The text enables swift safeguards—and even urgent action—when imports hit producers at a regional or sectoral level.