Lionel BONAVENTURE/AFP/AFP French farmers stepped up their protests Tuesday against a proposed trade pact between the European Union and four South American countries, blocking a key motorway on the border with Spain and vowing to sow "chaos." The French ...

French farmers planned on Tuesday to step up their protests against a proposed trade pact between the European Union and four South American countries, saying it threatens their livelihoods.Farmers fear any agreement would open European Union markets to cheaper meat and produce from South American competitors,

Farmers will protest across France on Monday as the prospect of a trade deal between European and Mercosur countries sharpens discontent over foreign competition that fuelled a farming crisis earlier this year.