Hundreds of tractors are blocking highways and access to cities, a measure of pressure that is increasing daily after the A64 road, which connects the southern cities of Toulouse and Bayonne (French Basque Country), began on Thursday last week.
Among the farmers' complaints are low salaries, the impact of inflation on their work and lives, European environmental standards – which they describe as too stringent – and high fuel prices, which is why they are demanding financial support from the government.
They are also demanding an end to the pesticide ban, in particular one that plans to halve their use by 2030, restrictions on water use and “oppressive” controls by the French Biodiversity Office.
Blockades are increasing, with reports that almost all entrances to the southern city of Nimes are blocked by tractors, as is the case in Lyon, while Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Rennes, Toulouse and other major cities record the actions of farmers, with announcements of those who have Paris in their scenes.
The head of the National Federation of Farmer Unions in France, Arnaud Rousseau, announced that by Friday, 85 out of 96 urban departments will be the scene of the proceedings, without ruling out that they would reach this capital.
Both President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal have promised a response to the unrest in the countryside, some of which are expected to be announced today.
On Thursday, Attal will meet with the Ministers of Economy, Bruno Le Maire, Agriculture, Marc Visnot, and Environmental Transition, Christophe Pichot, to analyze the crisis.
jf/wmr
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