Angry demonstrators staged dozens of rallies across the country, setting up mock gallows and erecting wooden crosses to symbolise the death of French agriculture. The new wave of action came after farmers across Europe including France mounted rolling protests last winter over a long list of burdens they say are squeezing revenue.

The French government is leading resistance against ratification of the trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay that would create the world’s largest free-trade zone.

Farmers fear any agreement would open European markets to cheaper meat and produce from South American competitors, who are not forced to adhere to strict EU rules on pesticides, hormones, land use and environmental measures.

The European Union and the four founding members of Mercosur – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay – have been working to make a trade pact between their blocs a reality for 25 years.