Overview
- During a tense visit to Toulouse, hundreds of farmers with dozens of tractors rallied to demand clarity after the president’s recent positive-sounding remarks in Brazil.
- After meeting union leaders, Emmanuel Macron said France will not sign the agreement as drafted and set prerequisites including enforceable safeguard clauses, mirror measures and stronger border controls.
- Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said the current text does not protect French producers and relayed the president’s pledge of a “very firm no” unless those conditions are secured.
- Macron also announced targeted support, including a cash‑flow fund for vulnerable farms and special status for Occitanie to pilot water and irrigation measures, with discussion of easing taxes on imported fertilizers noted by farm leaders.
- In Brussels, around 150 MEPs are moving to seek a Court of Justice review that could freeze ratification for months, while French unions warn of renewed actions as protests spread, including a 250‑strong tractor rally in Rouen on Wednesday night.