French farmers have called for a “siege” of Paris. They have been blocking the highways towards the capital since the afternoon. Their demands: better working and living conditions.
Farmers are blocking several roads towards Paris in protest against French government plans. They want to encircle the capital with tractors, trailers and other vehicles. Their goal is to secure further concessions.
The protests, which have been going on for a week, are directed against what they see as prevailing standards and regulations, including those from the EU. The farmers are also fighting for sufficient income.
“Siege” with tractors and hay bales
At Jossigny, near the Disneyland Paris theme park, all six lanes of the A4 expressway were blocked. Some vehicles had messages such as “No food without farmers” and “Our end would mean famine for you.” The broadcaster BFM-TV showed images of demonstrators using forklifts to place bales of hay on the A6 highway south of Paris.
The two largest farmers’ associations in France had called for a “siege” of the capital Paris.
The president of the influential farmers’ association FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, said on radio station RTL that it was not the aim of the demonstrators to disrupt the lives of French people. The police mobilized a large contingent of armored vehicles to prevent a standstill in the capital and a blockade of the two Paris airports and the Rungis wholesale market.
The French government is discussing how to proceed
President Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation with parts of the cabinet in the afternoon. According to media reports, in the evening Prime Minister Gabriel Attal wants to consult again with the agricultural unions that called for the blockades. Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau also promised further, rapid relief for farmers.
Attal had already made far-reaching promises of aid to farmers on Friday. On Sunday, while visiting a farm, he promised additional measures against unfair competition from other countries.
Prices and requirements cause problems
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has caused a global food crisis. French farmers argue they are struggling with higher fertilizer and energy prices because of the war. As a result, a life of agricultural work is no longer possible in some cases.
FNSEA President Rousseau said increasing exports of Ukrainian sugar to Europe since the start of the war were unbearable for European farmers. His association had presented a list of 140 demands. Among other things, it includes the waiver of certain environmental regulations. But there are differences among the protesters. Organic farmers, for example, tend to demand more government aid in order to defend themselves against cheap foreign competition.
In any case, the government’s promises so far do not go far enough for farmers. The protests are a first test for the French government, which was newly formed just three weeks ago, and the new Prime Minister Attal.
Julia Borutta, ARD Paris, tagesschau, January 29, 2024 4:54 p.m