A trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries, which includes a significant section on agriculture, has triggered protests from EU farmers who argue farm imports from South America do not meet European standards.

They argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.

French farmers launched Monday a new wave of action to protest a proposed trade pact between the European Union and four South American countries, which they say threatens their livelihoods.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.