BEAUVAIS, France — French farmers escalated protests Monday against the European Union-Mercosur trade agreement, citing fears of unfair competition. Backed by their government, they argue the deal would threaten their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.

Farmers staged protests across France on Monday at the prospect of a trade deal between the European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc, which will further intensify competition for the French agriculture sector.

EDITORIAL. There is an unusual political consensus in France to reject the free-trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. But weakened by an agricultural model that has run out of steam and fearful of a social crisis,