Janice R. Andrews
January 25, 2024, Paris
French farmers have escalated their protests dramatically, dumping imported produce around the nation and blocking highways in an attempt to press for fast action on concerns pertaining to low farmgate prices, environmental laws, and free-trade policies. The nation’s capital is getting closer to the protests, which started in the southwest and are currently in their second week.
A major obstacle for recently appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is the farmers’ stated intention to carry on the protests until their demands are fulfilled. “All possibilities are still on the table,” said Young Farmers union president Arnaud Gaillot, alluding to possible traffic delays in Paris as early as Friday.
The government has been informed by French intelligence services about the convergence of local farming unions in the capital. Senior ministers have been gathered by Prime Minister Attal to develop specific recommendations in response to the complaints of the farmers; a statement is anticipated on Friday.
France is the greatest agricultural producer in the EU. Farmers there have successfully blocked major roadways with tractors and piles of hay. Frustration over growing rules, declining earnings, and the idea that farmers are making less money while shouldering more obligations have all contributed to the protest.
Many farmers share the sentiment stated by Jean-Jacques Pesquerel of the Calvados Coordination Rurale union, who said, “We cannot live from our work anymore.” Cars on the A7 highway between Marseille and Lyon were littered with imported crates of tomatoes, cabbages, and cauliflowers, while in the morning rush hour, tractors were driving slowly along the southern outskirts of Paris.
Stronger enforcement of laws protecting farmgate prices, ongoing diesel tax breaks for agricultural vehicles, prompt payment of EU agricultural subsidies, climate and health insurance guarantees, and immediate assistance for wineries and organic farmers were among the demands made to the government by the influential FNSEA farming union.
Arnaud Rousseau, the head of FNSEA, underlined the importance of prompt replies and the important concerns at hand. Farmers are even more concerned about possible downward pressure on prices as the government hopes to wrap up yearly price negotiations between suppliers and French retailers by the end of the month.
A proposed agricultural law that was meant to encourage more people to become farmers has been put on hold by the government due to the unrest in France. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accuses President Emmanuel Macron, who is cautious about the role of farmers as a growing far-right base. Le Pen attacked the administration for what she saw as its laziness and backing of unfavourable European policies for farmers.
The country’s second-largest labour union, the hard-left CGT, has encouraged its members to work with the farmers, raising the possibility of a larger social movement against the government. Following the manure-spraying incident at a local government building in Agen on Wednesday, farmers in the southwest directed animal excrement at a Leclerc superstore, France’s largest grocery chain. This is a disturbing development. Reports state the police watched the event without taking any action.
