Agricultural producers in France have called a protest next month in rejection of the sweeping free-trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur trade bloc. The Confédération Paysanne agricultural union, the third=largest in France, on Tuesday urged farmers to demonstrate with tractors in Paris on October 14 to "stop" the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. The European Commission submitted the draft deal to the 27 EU member states and the European Parliament in early September for eventual approval, promising "solid" guarantees for farmers. In France, however, farmers fear the market will be flooded with Latin American beef, rice and sugar. The European Commission expects ratification of the agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay by the end of 2025, during Brazil’s pro-tempore presidency of Mercosur.