Some were hung from barriers along the Basse, the river that barely flows past the prefecture of Perpignan. The others piled up carefully on the sidewalks of the Catalan city. But there are dozens and dozens of these road signs, entering or leaving the city. At the call of the FDSEA and the department’s Young Farmers, around 150 protesters marched through the city on Tuesday morning in a “funeral procession” behind a coffin.
The procession brought together, in addition to farmers from all sectors, some elected officials of the department, the deputy Anaïs Sabatini, the president of the association of mayors of the department Edmond Jorda, the president of the department Hermeline Malherbe. And the farmers have therefore returned the road signs removed from the entrances of cities and villages in recent weeks to signify that “we no longer know where we are going. »
“We are returning the panels but we have not yet received responses to the requests we made to Annie Genevard, Minister of Agriculture. We even wonder if he hasn’t forgotten where the Pyrenees-Orientales are,” railed Bruno Vila, president of the FDSEA of the Pyrenees-Orientales. The demands have not changed: payment of social contributions, exemption from property tax, emergency aid for the most affected sectors, vines and livestock.
But, according to him, after the visit there were no further contacts with the Ministry. “This is what we will remind the prefect,” explained Bruno Vila, before the short delegation entered the prefecture building. During this meeting, protesters were confirmed that the sector will be fully exempt from undeveloped land tax but, more importantly, that the department will be able to deviate from the Water Agency’s doctrine on the creation of new resources.
Cattle breeding and viticulture were particularly affected
As for the signs, they were waiting for us to pick them up. “We have made sure that our panels are collected by our agents, but I hope that all the municipalities manage to collect theirs”, worries the president of the department, Hermeline Malherbe. At the beginning of the afternoon, the procession had to split into several pieces to deposit waste in some sensitive points, in particular the MSA Grand Sud health insurance company, accused of not having done enough despite the gravity of the situation.
Also this year in the department of Pyrenees Orientales, two sectors are particularly affected: livestock farming, affected by bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease, and vines. The eradication plan should cover more than 2,600 ha, or 15% of the vineyard. To which is added the 10-15% lost last year due to drought.
What are the primary demands of farmers in the Pyrenees-Orientales as expressed during their recent protest?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Bruno Vila, President of the FDSEA of the Pyrenees-Orientales
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Bruno Vila. Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent protest in Perpignan. It’s quite a striking image—dozens of road signs hung and a coffin carried through the streets. Can you share the significance behind this unusual procession?
Bruno Vila: Thank you for having me. The procession was symbolic of our farmers’ deep frustrations and a desperate appeal to be recognized. The road signs represent the confusion and uncertainty we’re feeling in the agricultural sector. They have literally removed the markers that help us navigate our way forward. The coffin, of course, symbolizes the death of our livelihoods if things continue as they are.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a powerful statement. You mentioned that you hadn’t received responses to your requests made to Minister Annie Genevard. What specific demands are you hoping to communicate to the government?
Bruno Vila: Absolutely. Our demands have remained consistent. We are calling for the payment of social contributions, exemption from property taxes, and emergency aid for the sectors hit hardest, especially vines and livestock. These are crucial measures that would help sustain our struggling farms and ensure the survival of our livelihoods.
Time.news Editor: During the march, you were joined by various local officials, including Deputy Anaïs Sabatini and President Hermeline Malherbe. How important is their support in this movement?
Bruno Vila: Their presence is vital. It sends a message that this issue transcends just agriculture—it affects the entire community and economy of the region. When elected officials stand with us, it amplifies our voice. We need solidarity from all levels of government to tackle these pressing issues effectively.
Time.news Editor: You’ve expressed concerns that the Minister may have forgotten about areas like the Pyrenees-Orientales. Can you elaborate on why you feel this way?
Bruno Vila: After the Minister visited our region, we had high hopes that things would change. However, there has been minimal follow-up or communication since then. It feels as though our struggles are not being prioritized, and that’s frustrating for our farmers who are working tirelessly yet facing increasing challenges.
Time.news Editor: Looking ahead, what do you envision as the next steps for your group and the farming community?
Bruno Vila: We need to keep the pressure on. We will continue our protests and reach out to other sectors to unite in this cause. It’s crucial that we don’t allow our voices to be drowned out. We must advocate for ourselves—our future depends on it. The government needs to recognize that agriculture is not just an industry; it’s the lifeblood of our community.
Time.news Editor: It’s clear this is a critical time for farmers in your region. Is there a message you’d like to leave our readers with?
Bruno Vila: I urge everyone to support local farmers. Understand that our struggles directly impact the quality and availability of food. If we don’t stand up and fight for our livelihoods now, we will lose not just our farms, but also the rich agricultural heritage that has been built over generations.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Bruno Vila, for sharing your insights. Your commitment to the farming community is commendable, and we hope for a resolution that supports your essential work.
Bruno Vila: Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Together, we can make a difference.