French farmers force their way through Paris with tractors to protest free trade deal

Farmers have driven about a hundred tractors into Paris to protest European negotiations over a free trade deal with South American nations, according to the French Interior Ministry. French farmers for years has denounced the trade deal with the Mercosur nations of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. They argue the deal would hurt French farmers’ livelihoods. Farmers are also upset about government measures against a bovine disease. The Interior Ministry said about 20 tractors were in the Paris city center, some at the Arc de Triomphe monument and others in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood, despite a ban issued by authorities.