Farmers flood Barcelona with tractors in renewed protest against Mercosur deal

Farmers took to the streets of Barcelona on Friday, flooding the city with dozens of tractors in a renewed protest against the Mercosur deal.

The demonstrations began in the early hours, with protesters marching from several parts of Catalonia. Different columns converged on the capital by midday.

By noon, tractors had entered the city via Meridiana Avenue, making their way through Aragó Street and Balmes Street before reaching the headquarters of the Agriculture Department on Gran Via, between Rambla Catalunya and Universitat Square.

The protest comes two years after historic demonstrations that brought Barcelona to a standstill with more than 2,000 tractors.

Farmers are now protesting the Mercosur deal approved last month by the European Union, while also commemorating that landmark event.

The tractors will remain parked overnight in front of the Agriculture Department, with the aim of raising public awareness of the farmers’ grievances.

"We have come here to celebrate two years since that historic moment, but also to educate people about what we do and how we do it; we are this city’s source of food," explained a spokesperson.

Unlike the disruptive protests two years ago, farmers this time have limited the impact on city traffic, citing solidarity with residents and the already chaotic train transport situation in Catalonia.

The protest targets the government’s perceived "failure" to implement agreements reached last month when the EU approved the Mercosur deal.

Farmers argue that the agreement would put them at a competitive disadvantage, making it difficult to compete with lower-priced imports from South America.

The government has pledged increased funding for the Agriculture Department to enforce stricter controls on imported products, but farmers say the measures are insufficient.

Through the protest, farmers also aim to inform the public about the potential consequences of the Mercosur deal.

"It brings health risks and is not favorable for farmers or citizens," they said.

Although the government promised "tangible results" soon, they warned that the situation cannot be reversed "in three days."