Spanish farmers protest in Madrid against EU-Mercosur agreement
Thousands of Spanish farmers protested in Madrid against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, claiming it threatens food sovereignty and creates unfair competition.
On Wednesday, thousands of farmers and ranchers took to the streets of Madrid in a demonstration against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. The protesters, who arrived aboard hundreds of tractors from various locations, marched from Plaza Colón to the Ministry of Agriculture. Displays of placards reading "No to Mercosur, no to our ruin" and "The Spanish countryside is not for sale" highlighted their discontent with the agreement, which they argue would lead to unfair competition within the agricultural sector.
Among the speakers was Miguel Ángel Aguilera, president of the agrarian organization Unaspi, who warned that if the primary sector suffers, it would have direct repercussions on all citizens. He emphasized that consumers would end up with lower-quality products, marking a loss of food sovereignty and claiming that the agreement undermines fair competition. The demonstration saw approximately 367 tractors and was supported by around 2,500 participants, resembling a rallying point against perceived threats to local agriculture.
Meanwhile, in the Congress of Deputies, the Spanish Chancellor Pedro Sánchez was present, defending the agreement amidst rising tension between government supporters of the trade deal and the agricultural community. The protest reflects not just local dissatisfaction but hints at broader concerns about agricultural policies and international trade impacts in Spain, signaling that rural voices are increasingly mobilizing against what they see as governmental neglect of their interests.