This Monday, French farmers initiated the ‘siege’ of several major access roads to Paris in an effort to exert pressure on the government. The Executive has urged the farmers to limit their actions and ensure they do not disrupt the lives of citizens. Tractors have been used to block motorways and national roads leading to the capital, as well as to other major cities like Marseille and Lyon.
Maxime Lievin, treasurer of the regional section of the Fnsea agricultural union, which is France’s main agricultural union, explained that “pressuring Paris is putting pressure on the government.” Farmers have set up blockades on the A4 motorway, which connects Paris with the rest of the country. They have brought camping equipment to spend the nights at these blockades until their demands are met.
The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, has stated that there will be no intervention against the limited road closures. However, he has made it clear that blockades at the food market in Rungis, the largest in Europe, and the capital’s airports will not be tolerated. To protect the food market, a Gendarmerie anti-riot unit equipped with tanks has been deployed at Rungis. Around 15,000 police officers from various forces are mobilized throughout the country to maintain control over the protests.
Farmers are demanding measures at both the national and European Union levels to make their farms profitable, reduce bureaucracy, and streamline administrative procedures. They are requesting the elimination of mandatory fallow imposed by Brussels, fair prices for the agri-food industry, and timely subsidy payments. They also believe they are victims of unfair competition, as they claim that imported products are not subject to the same health and environmental requirements.
New measures from the government
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal held a meeting on Monday with a small group of government officials. The Executive spokesperson, Prisca Thevenot, announced that new announcements will be made starting from Tuesday and in the upcoming days. Leaders of major agricultural unions later met with Attal to discuss the new measures, which he is expected to communicate in his speech at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The protest gained momentum after the measures announced by Attal last Friday were deemed insufficient by the agricultural unions. As a result, the farmers have decided to intensify their pressure on the government.
In addition to the national measures, President Emmanuel Macron plans to propose changes to the common agricultural policy to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. France also seeks to enforce limits on certain Ukrainian products, such as chicken, eggs, and sugar, which have been allowed to enter the country without tariffs and without complying with EU regulations as a show of support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Macron will present these requests at the Extraordinary Council in Brussels on Thursday.