French Farmers Announce New Protests in January: Anger Over Trade Deals and Disease Control Measures

French Farmers Ready to Hit the Roads Again

France’s countryside is bracing for renewed disruption this January as agricultural unions prepare to relaunch nationwide protests. After a brief holiday truce, farmer organisations such as the Confédération Paysanne, Coordination Rurale, and Jeunes Agriculteurs have pledged a “massive restart” of their mobilisations.

Starting January 5th, 2026, major actions are planned across several regions:

Blockages at the Cherbourg port and on the A84 motorway near Ducey (Manche).
Traffic disruptions on the Pont de Normandie by young farmers from Seine-Maritime.
Regional protests in areas like Occitanie, Brittany, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine expected to follow.

What began as isolated demonstrations last year has grown into a powerful grassroots movement — one motivated by frustration, fear, and a belief that rural France is being left behind by European policy decisions.

Two Core Issues Behind the Anger

1. The Outbreak of “Dermatose Nodulaire Contagieuse” (DNC)

Since June 2025, France has identified 115 outbreaks of Dermatose Nodulaire Contagieuse (Lumpy Skin Disease), a painful viral infection affecting cattle herds. Spread across 11 departments, the government’s response — mandatory slaughter of infected herds — has provoked deep outrage among farmers.

Many argue these blanket culls are “disproportionate and ineffective”, wiping out entire farms and livelihoods for limited sanitary gain. Farmers are demanding more balanced containment approaches, compensation for losses, and better veterinary transparency.

2. The Controversial EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement

The proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal — linking Europe with South American economies — has long been a red line for French farmers. Although European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen postponed the agreement’s signing to early 2026, the delay has done little to quell rural anger.

Farmers view the deal as a direct threat to European standards on food safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection, fearing a flood of cheaper imports from countries like Brazil and Argentina.

Actions on the Ground: Symbolism and Persistence

On December 30th, roughly a hundred farmers staged a dramatic protest in Carcassonne (Aude). They entered supermarkets and removed imported goods such as foreign foie gras, wine, and olive oil to highlight the “unfair competition” faced by local producers.

“We have farmers who are struggling to survive. We know how to make great foie gras, wine, and oil — all here at home,” said Antoine Micouleau of the Coordination Rurale.

Meanwhile, the blockade of the A64 motorway at Carbonne, ongoing for over two weeks, remains a potent symbol of the movement’s determination. Protesters have built makeshift camps, showcasing solidarity and rural defiance.

A Call for Real Agricultural Protection

Both the Confédération Paysanne and Coordination Rurale insist that their demands go beyond immediate grievances. They’re calling for:

Stronger protection of local production against cheap imports.
Fairer pricing to allow farmers to live decently from their work.
Clearer commitments to sustainability and food sovereignty at the EU level.

In short, these movements argue that France must “relocalise its agriculture”, ensuring farmers are paid fairly while defending French and European food independence.

What’s Next?

With public sympathy still strong, especially in rural regions, January’s protests could escalate quickly if negotiations stall. Many observers believe the movement mirrors broader social frustration in France — a blend of economic anxiety, environmental concern, and distrust of globalisation.

As tractors prepare to roll again, it’s clear that 2026 could become another defining year for the future of French farming — and its uneasy relationship with Brussels.