Farmers’ Protest Disrupts Toulouse: Traffic, Arrests, and Growing Tensions
Farmers across the Haute-Garonne region are remobilizing in Toulouse on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, leading to significant traffic disruptions and a series of arrests as demonstrators seek to make their concerns heard. While authorities have authorized a demonstration on foot, tensions remain high as farmers express frustration with perceived inaction on critical agricultural issues.
Farmers Converge on Toulouse, Traffic Gridlock Ensues
The day began with farmers converging on Toulouse, causing substantial traffic delays. According to reports, a 6.5 km traffic jam formed on the N124 west of the city, and motorists faced an additional 30-minute delay after the Muret toll barriers south of Toulouse. Radio Vinci reported significant slowdowns on the A64 near Portet-sur-Garonne and at the Montastruc-la-Conseillère toll.
Farmers were observed in the Sept-Deniers, Purpan, and Palais de Justice sectors of the city center, severely disrupting traffic flow in the “Pink City.” Public transport has also been affected, with Tisséo diverting the airport shuttle and several bus lines – L1, L8, L9, L14, 15, 23, 27, and 37 – beginning at 9:30 a.m. Diversions are in place to connect with metro lines A and B, with full service expected to be restored later in the morning.
Arrests and Accusations of Heavy-Handed Policing
The situation escalated as police intervened, resulting in at least five arrests by mid-morning. Three farmers were initially taken into custody after refusing to comply with police instructions in the Saint-Jean sector, reportedly after engaging in dangerous driving. Two additional arrests followed for similar non-compliance.
Luc Mesbah, secretary general of the FDSEA 31, condemned the arrests, stating, “Farmers who are walking around are not delinquents.” Mesbah himself was previously fined 1,000 euros following a demonstration on January 14. He also characterized the ban on tractors entering the city as “a play,” accusing the prefect of overstepping their authority.
Demonstrations and Calls for Dialogue
Around forty farmers, representing the Rural Coordination and Young Farmers groups, gathered in the city center. Seven demonstrators, identified as members of the Rural Coordination (“yellow caps”), arrived from Ariège and assembled in Jean-Jaurès square.
Sébastien Durand, president of the Rural Coordination of Ariège, has requested a meeting with the prefect, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. However, Durand expressed dissatisfaction that the meeting is planned solely with the Peasant Confederation, calling it “a lack of consideration.” He emphasized the need for “concrete progress,” adding, “Today, we only have words. That’s enough.”
Concerns Over Lumpy Skin Disease and Livestock Management
Beyond general agricultural concerns, farmers are also voicing strong objections to the handling of lumpy skin disease, a disease affecting cattle. Durand stated, “we must stop this carnage of total slaughter even on vaccinated animals.”
Tractor Blockades and Police Response
Earlier in the morning, approximately ten tractors blocked the N124 near Colomiers, east of Toulouse. Police intervened, and the tractors were later escorted back. Similarly, ten tractors from Tarn were blocked near Castelmaurou and subsequently escorted away. The prefect, Pierre-André Durand, had warned against attempts to bring tractors into Toulouse, stating that demonstrations would be permitted only on foot, but that “verbalizations and arrests” would result from non-compliance or violence.
The planned procession is set to begin at 10 a.m. from Allées Jean-Jaurès and conclude on Place Emile Blouin, in front of the administrative city in the Guillaumet district. The situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as events unfold.
