Lionel BONAVENTURE/AFP/AFP French farmers stepped up their protests Tuesday against a proposed trade pact between the European Union and four South American countries, blocking a key motorway on the border with Spain and vowing to sow "chaos." The French ...

Farmers staged protests across France on Monday at the prospect of a trade deal between the European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc, which will further intensify competition for the French agriculture sector.

French farmers are mobilizing for widespread protests called Monday targeting the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. They argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.

Farmers will protest across France on Monday as the prospect of a trade deal between European and Mercosur countries sharpens discontent over foreign competition that fuelled a farming crisis earlier this year.

French farmers planned on Tuesday to step up their protests against a proposed trade pact between the European Union and four South American countries, saying it threatens their livelihoods.Farmers fear any agreement would open European Union markets to cheaper meat and produce from South American competitors,

French farmers protested Monday targeting the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Backed by their government, they argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.

French farmers launched Monday a new wave of action to protest a proposed trade pact between the European Union and four South American countries, which they say threatens their livelihoods.