France: Farmers likely to continue staging go-slow convoys and protests nationwide through early December /update 1

Unionized farmers are staging go-slow convoys with agricultural vehicles in multiple centers nationwide as of Nov. 27 and will likely continue to organize protest events in the coming days. France's largest agricultural workers' union, FNSEA, is denouncing the proposed Mercosur trade agreement between the EU and South American countries. As of Nov. 27:

• FNSEA's "Young Farmers" association is continuing a protest at the European Parliament in Strasbourg that started Nov. 26 through Nov. 28.

• Local media report ongoing protests in Avignon, Chateauroux, Nantes, Nimes, and Toulouse, among other centers. Farming groups are typically targeting regional and departmental government buildings.

• Farmers in the Aude region plan to demonstrate in Carcassonne on Nov. 30. The event will likely start with go-slow convoys, which will then converge on the Prefecture for a rally at 15:00.

Additional farmers' protests are likely across France in the coming days.

Local authorities will likely deploy additional police officers to mitigate traffic disruptions. The convoy operations will probably prompt significant congestion in city centers and on major junctions around urban areas. Roadblocks and heightened security may prompt business disruptions, for example delivery vehicles may not be able access city center locations. The events will likely pass off peacefully.