As the holiday season nears, farmers in France, led by FNSEA’s Arnaud Rousseau, are contemplating significant mobilization due to dissatisfaction with government actions affecting their livelihoods. Recent censorship and budget delays have stalled promised support, prompting protests against elected representatives. Rousseau condemned violence but stressed the urgency of addressing farmers’ grievances. Mobilizations have already occurred in northern Toulouse, causing disruptions, as farmers demand acknowledgment of their struggles and a stable agricultural leadership.
Farmers Consider Major Mobilization Ahead of Holiday Season
As the end-of-year holidays approach, the specter of a large-scale mobilization by farmers looms large. Arnaud Rousseau, the leader of the FNSEA, one of France’s prominent agricultural unions, acknowledged the possibility of swift action during an interview on RTL on Thursday, December 12. “We had previously stated that we did not wish to disrupt the holiday season, particularly since it is a time when the French take pride in consuming our products. However, we find ourselves in a state of uncertainty, and we cannot afford to wait any longer,” he cautioned.
Government Actions Impact Farmers’ Plans
The government’s recent censorship has significantly impacted the farmers’ planned activities. Trade unions had initiated a three-phase mobilization against the Mercosur free trade agreement and advocated for improved incomes, which commenced in mid-November and was slated to conclude on December 9 and 10. However, the censure motion passed by deputies and the failure to adopt the 2025 budget have stalled the implementation of commitments made to farmers during their previous mobilization last winter. This budget included several initiatives aimed at supporting the agricultural sector, such as a new approach to pension calculations. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard remarked, “Farmers will bear the consequences of this censorship.” Arnaud Rousseau emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Without a government in place, without a Prime Minister, and lacking a point of contact, we cannot afford to wait a year.”
In response to the censure vote, farmers redirected their efforts towards the offices of deputies, which were either barricaded or subjected to manure dumping. These actions were primarily aimed at elected representatives from the New Popular Front (NFP) and the National Rally (RN), who supported the government censorship. According to the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, more than 30 deputies faced these protests, which she condemned strongly.
In light of these events, Arnaud Rousseau expressed that “nothing justifies violence.” He clarified, “I do not support actions that cause harm to property or individuals. However, we cannot push people to their limits and be surprised by their reactions when they exceed reasonable expectations. I urge that the agricultural grievances voiced over the past year be acknowledged… Naturally, we fear that the situation may escalate, and we have never felt as apprehensive.” He further criticized the frequent changes in the role of Minister of Agriculture, stating, “Changing the Minister of Agriculture every two months is unfeasible.” Rousseau lamented that the agricultural community, which has been expressing its frustrations for a year, feels unheard, and farmers who were promised support see these commitments fade away without results. On December 11, farmers in northern Toulouse and regions in northern France organized mobilizations that necessitated law enforcement presence, launching roadblocks to inspect foreign truck shipments, as reported by Franceinfo.