The French government plans to implement new measures today, Tuesday, to address farmers’ concerns over rising costs, European regulations, and the ongoing closure of highways around the capital, Paris, by protesters.
According to Bloomberg News, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal held a new meeting with union leaders on Monday evening, after previous concessions failed to end the disruptions that began about two weeks ago.
Bloomberg quoted a 35-year-old French farmer named Patrick Mayer, who set up a tent in the suburbs of Paris, telling BFM TV: “We have a system that doesn’t work. We are in a bad situation. We insist on staying until they respond to us.”
Mayer stated he drove his tractor over 470 kilometers (292 miles) from the Alsace region in northeastern France.
Farmers in France have intensified their protests, disrupting roads as part of their ongoing campaign against the surge in production costs, strict regulations imposed by Brussels, and perceived unfair competition from foreign markets. The French farmers are specifically advocating for financial support to navigate EU environmental rules and a reduction in day-to-day operational regulations. Simultaneously, this unrest mirrors broader tensions across Europe, with farmers in other countries like Poland grappling with similar challenges. These widespread protests highlight shared concerns, such as inflation’s impact on energy costs, the rise of fuel prices, and the competitive pressures posed by cheaper imports. The discontent extends beyond France, resonating in countries like Germany and the Netherlands, where farmers are also expressing their grievances.
France is the largest agricultural producer in the European Union, with about 100 billion euros ($108 billion) annually, or about 18% of total production.
Newly appointed Attal is expected to give a speech to the French Parliament later today, Tuesday, outlining priorities and reform plans for the coming months. The protests are expected to cast a shadow over the speech.
