European farmers continue their protests despite the temporary suspension of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement

 

El Parlamento Europeo decided on January 20 to submit the newly signed trade agreement between the UE y Mercosur al Tribunal de Justicia de la UE (TJUEThis maneuver potentially paralyzes its implementation for up to two years. This measure has been hailed as a tactical victory by European agricultural organizations, who attribute this institutional setback to the intense pressure exerted in recent weeks. Despite this temporary relief, protests, tractor demonstrations, and rallies remain active in España, Francia and other member states, with thousands of farmers demanding guarantees amid fears of unfair competition stemming from laxer regulations in South American production.

 

Industry reactions: between celebration and caution

 

The main organizations in the sector have positively assessed the judicial blockade, interpreting it as a direct consequence of the mobilizations. "We have convinced a majority of the Parlamento Europeo to question an agreement that is harmful to the European agricultural sector", he claimed Andrés Góngora, responsible for Free Trade Agreements of COAGAlthough the entity "we celebrate" the decision, Góngora warned about the need to "keep fighting" to achieve the definitive halt of the pact.

 

He expressed a similar view Donaciano Dujo, President of Asaja en Castilla y Leónwho described the event as "very good news for the countryside", assuring that the protests in the streets "have taken effect". For its part, Jesús Manuel González-PalacínLeader UCCLHe maintained a belligerent tone, pointing out that "We have won a battle, but not the war.", confirming that "They will continue the protests and demonstrations" to claim real profitability for producers.

 

Timeline and key figures of the trade conflict

 

The blockade comes just days after the official signing of the pact in Paraguay, an event that acted as a catalyst for accumulated rural discontent over high costs, the effects of climate change, and the demands of Pacto Verde.

 

Date / Data	Key Event or Detail
January 17	Signing of the trade agreement in Paraguay.
January 20	El Parlamento Europeo sends the text to TJUE.
2 years	Estimated time for the agreement to be suspended.
20-21 for January	Mass protests in Estrasburgo against Von der Leyen.
January 29	Call for "Super Thursday" protests in España.

 

Continuity of the mobilizations and 'Super Thursday'

 

Far from demobilizing, the primary sector has reaffirmed its schedule of demands. The organization Unión de Uniones de Agricultores y Ganaderos has been blunt: "We will continue to exert pressure; the pressure from our producers is now even more important."They consider the court ruling to be just a first step and they are maintaining their schedule of demonstrations.

 

The main demands driving these days of protest include:

• Total rejection of the treaty with Mercosur because it is considered to promote unfair competition.
• The reduction of the bureaucratic burden imposed since Bruselas.
• Obtaining fair prices within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC).

 

The most immediate focus of tension is on January 29, the date marked for a "super Thursday" of mobilizations in Españacontinuing the events experienced in Estrasburgo where farmers displayed banners directed against the management of the Commission president, Von der Leyen.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the stalled EU-Mercosur agreement

 

Why has the EU-Mercosur agreement stalled?
El Parlamento Europeo has decided to send the text to Tribunal de Justicia de la UE (TJUE) for legal review, which prevents its immediate ratification and could delay its implementation for up to two years.

 

What do farmers think of this decision?
Organizations like COAG, Asaja y UCCL They celebrate it as a partial victory resulting from pressure in the streets, although they warn that it is not definitive and they will continue fighting against what they consider unfair competition.

 

Have the strikes and tractor protests been called off?
No. The sector is maintaining its protest schedule, including a "Super Thursday" on January 29, to demand fair prices, less bureaucracy, and total rejection of the treaty, using the current pressure as leverage in negotiations.