French Farmers Block Major Roads Around Paris

Posted by: Eninu William in world news January 30, 2024

French farmers have begun moving hundreds of tractors in an effort to blockade key routes into the French capital, termed the “siege of Paris.” They argue they are being hit by falling incomes, environmental regulations, rising red tape, and competition from imports.

French authorities say 15,000 police officers have been mobilized to stop tractors entering the capital and other cities. Other protests are taking place across the country.

Hundreds of thousands of French farmers moved to block major highways to Paris on Monday, as similar protests took place in Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands.

“We can’t do cheap farming… we need to be able to make a living from our trade,” one protester in Paris told the BBC.

While farming unions have called the protest “a siege of Paris,” secondary roads to the city have remained open. Farmers say their aim is to stop food deliveries from reaching supermarkets – something officials have warned them not to do.

Police have also been given orders not to intervene, and there have so far been no signs of disorder.

The head of France’s biggest farmers’ union, the National Federation of Agricultural Holders’ Unions (FNSEA), Arnaud Rousseau, said the goal was to force the government to find a quick resolution to the stand-off.

He also said the protest movement would continue everywhere in France. This is “with the very concrete objective of having emergency measures announced” – especially surrounding food prices and reciprocity of rules.

In response to the blockades, French government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot said they would announce new measures on Tuesday.

This is in addition to those announced last week. Last week’s included dropping a planned hike in taxes on fuel and additional support for farmers whose animals fall ill.

The Elysée Palace also announced French President Emmanuel Macron will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday in Brussels. This is to discuss the agriculture industry and EU-wide support for farmers.

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