A Norwegian cross-country skier caught up in an avalanche on Mont Blanc has died of his injuries, police said on Sunday.
The man was swept away by a 300-metre snowslide as he was skiing across the Argentiere glacier at 3,400 metres altitude.
Critically injured, other skiers who witnessed the accident went to his help and took him to a mountain refuge 700 metres lower down. But because of fierce squalls of wind in the Chamonix valley, the mountain rescue helicopter was unable to take off and he died of his injuries during the night.
France has vowed to prevent a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc from being signed with its current terms, as the country is rocked by farmer protests.
The trade deal, which would include agricultural powers Argentina and Brazil, is among a litany of complaints by farmers in France and elsewhere in Europe who have been blocking roads to demand better conditions for their sector.
They fear it would further depress their produce prices amid increased competition from exporting nations that are not bound by strict and costly EU environmental laws.
READ ALSO Should I cancel my trip to France because of farmers’ protests?
“This Mercosur deal, as it stands, is not good for our farmers. It cannot be signed as is, it won’t be signed as is,” Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire told broadcasters CNews and Europe 1.
The European Commission acknowledged on Tuesday that the conditions to conclude the deal with Mercosur, which also includes Paraguay and Uruguay, “are not quite there yet”.
The talks, however, are continuing, the commission said.
READ ALSO 5 minutes to understand French farmer protests
President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that France opposes the deal because it “doesn’t make Mercosur farmers and companies abide by the same rules as ours”.
The EU and the South American nations have been negotiating since 2000.
The contours of a deal were agreed in 2019, but a final version still needs to be ratified.
The accord aims to cut import tariffs on – mostly European – industrial and pharmaceutical goods, and on agricultural products.
Please whitelist us to continue reading.
So this website can function correctly please whitelist The Local with your adblocker, antivirus software or browser add on.
Please visit the help centre for more information
Member comments