Protest actions are expected to continue throughout the week in France, even though the farmers there have the support of both the president and the government in their opposition to the so-called Mercosur agreement.
The French concern is still great that the EU Commission will get enough other EU countries on board in early December for a green light.
Rural Affairs Minister Peter Kullgren (KD) says he has understanding for the farmers' concern, but like the entire Swedish government, he strongly supports the agreement - not least to give EU farmers better opportunities to export.
I don't think protectionism in the long run is what strengthens EU's agricultural markets. But it's clear that you have to have order on food safety being good. And that you also use free trade agreements to ensure that we get better animal welfare, better environmental and climate considerations in agriculture in larger parts of the world, says Kullgren on his way into an agricultural minister meeting in Brussels on Monday.
