The French farmers’ union CR47 threatens to block food supplies in the country if the authorities continue to fail to act.
Day.Az reports this with reference to Agence France Presse.
“CR47 calls on all farmers to demonstrate in front of the prefectures on November 19… without strong and immediate decisions from the authorities, the next day farmers will block food supplies,” the agency writes.
One of the trade union chairmen told the agency that his organization expects farmers from the entire southwest of France to participate in the demonstration.
Earlier, Ouest France reported that the leading trade unions of French farmers, FNSEA and Jeunes agriculteurs, called for the resumption of protests against the inaction of the authorities and the unfavorable agreements concluded by the EU from November 15.
In October, farmers’ protests began again throughout France. Farmers, just like a year ago, are sticking up or turning the names of settlements on the roads upside down – an action that became a symbol of the protest movement of farmers earlier this year. It is intended to show that they are forced to “walk on their heads”, suffering losses in the absence of state support. The action affected 13 departments of the southern region of Occitanie, as well as the Center – Loire Valley region. In the Ile-de-France metropolitan region, farmers removed the “Paris” sign at the entrance to the city, and also swapped signs for other settlements.
Disgruntled farmers also threw straw at the administration building in Nancy and dumped manure in the city center. At the call of another agricultural union, Coordination rurale, about a hundred farmers tripled their protest in the Gers department, vowing to “starve out Toulouse.”
A bill to help farmers, which was passed in the lower house of the French parliament in May, was never considered in the Senate due to President Emmanuel Macron‘s decision to dissolve parliament. According to trade unions, the promises made by the government were never fulfilled.
In France, large-scale protests by farmers took place at the end of 2023 – beginning of 2024. Protesters blocked key highways, blocking traffic with tractors, haystacks and piles of manure. Farmers bombarded prefectures and government buildings with manure and waste, denouncing government agricultural policies that they say make them uncompetitive. In particular, farmers opposed the import of agricultural products, restrictions on the use of water for irrigation, increasing the cost of diesel fuel, as well as restrictive measures to protect the environment and the growing financial burden on production. At the height of the crisis, columns of farmers on tractors headed to Paris to lay siege to the main food market of Rungis in the south of the city. To prevent the action, the capital’s authorities brought in special forces and armored cars.
Title: An Engaging Discussion on the French Farmers’ Crisis
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving deep into a pressing issue affecting agriculture in France. Joining us is Dr. Émilie Lefevre, an expert in agricultural economics and rural policy. Thank you for being here, Dr. Lefevre!
Dr. Lefevre: Thank you for having me! It’s a crucial topic, and I’m glad to share insights.
Interviewer: Let’s start with the recent developments. We’ve seen the farmers’ union CR47 threatening to block food supplies if the government doesn’t take immediate action. What’s driving this drastic measure?
Dr. Lefevre: The situation stems from a combination of factors. Firstly, farmers in France are under significant financial pressure due to rising costs and unfavorable agreements made at the EU level. The call to protest on November 19 highlights their frustration with what they perceive as a lack of governmental support and action.
Interviewer: It’s alarming to hear farmers are feeling pushed to the point of striking against food supply chains. What has been the historical context behind these protests?
Dr. Lefevre: Historically, French farmers have employed protests as a means to voice their grievances. The act of turning road signs upside down, which some farmers are doing again, symbolizes their struggles. It’s a stark visual representation of feeling inverted in their livelihoods—essentially, they’re saying they can no longer survive under the current system. This method of protest gained prominence last year and is now resurging as a response to ongoing frustrations.
Interviewer: You mentioned EU agreements. Could you elaborate on how these have impacted the farmers?
Dr. Lefevre: Certainly. EU trade agreements can place significant competitive pressures on domestic farmers. For instance, they may be forced to compete with imported goods that are produced at lower costs due to different regulations or standards abroad. This can drive down prices for their products and impact profitability, leading to the kind of dissatisfaction we’re witnessing today.
Interviewer: It’s clear the stakes are high. With major unions like FNSEA and Jeunes agriculteurs calling for protests, how unified is the farmers’ movement in France right now?
Dr. Lefevre: There appears to be a strong level of unity among various farming groups. The joint protests planned show that there is a collective frustration shared across different regions and types of agriculture. This upcoming demonstration is expected to draw significant participation, particularly from farmers across the southwest. It’s a rallying call for the community to stand together against what they view as neglect by the authorities.
Interviewer: What kind of solutions do you think could emerge from this situation? Is there a path forward that might appease the farmers?
Dr. Lefevre: Solutions could include more robust state support programs for farmers, better negotiation strategies within the EU framework, and policies that protect local agriculture from unfair competition. Dialogue between farmers and the government is crucial. If the authorities can demonstrate they are listening and willing to make changes, it might help stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation.
Interviewer: Dr. Lefevre, your insights are invaluable. As developments unfold, we will certainly keep an eye on how the government responds and what this means for the future of French agriculture. Thank you for joining us today!
Dr. Lefevre: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important issue. It’s vital we keep the conversation going.
Interviewer: Absolutely. This is Time.news, bringing you the latest on critical social issues. Stay tuned for more updates on the farmers’ movement in France.