In a bid to quell escalating protests by farmers, France's newly appointed Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, announced significant concessions aimed at addressing the grievances expressed by the agricultural community. The demonstrations, centered on issues of low pay, food prices, and agricultural challenges, had led farmers to block major roads in and out of Paris.
During a visit to a cattle farm near the Spanish border, Attal pledged to prioritize agriculture and unveiled a series of immediate measures. Among these assurances was a commitment to halt the rise in fuel costs and streamline regulatory processes. The Prime Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by farmers, including the soaring expenses for farm diesel, delayed European Union subsidies, bureaucratic hurdles, and competition from imported goods.
Attal also stated plans to appeal to the EU for modifications to regulations mandating farmers to leave some of their land fallow. Additionally, he affirmed France's opposition to signing an EU free-trade deal that farmers fear could inundate supermarkets with inexpensive produce.
However, not all factions within the farming community were appeased by Attal's concessions. Representatives from the National Federation of Farmers' Unions (FNSEA) and the Peasant Confederation union expressed dissatisfaction, deeming the measures "largely insufficient." Despite the concessions, plans for continued mobilization, including roadblocks and protests in various forms, were announced.
Earlier in the day, tractors and hay bales obstructed the A1 motorway linking Paris to Lille and Belgium. The FNSEA reported that approximately 55,000 people participated in nationwide mobilization. Protests persisted in the south of France, where the main road between Lyon and the Spanish border faced disruptions.
Christophe Beeuwsaert, a cereal and milk farmer in the Oise region, emphasized the farmers' intention to encircle Paris, escalating their pressure on the government. Farmers criticized politicians for their perceived detachment from the daily challenges faced by those in agriculture.
These farmer protests pose a significant challenge for Prime Minister Attal, who assumed office at the beginning of the month. Originating in the southwest of France, the demonstrations intensified last week, with farmers blocking key motorways and establishing makeshift living quarters on highways. Tragically, on Tuesday, a farmer and her 12-year-old daughter lost their lives in a roadblock-related accident south of Toulouse, further underscoring the gravity of the situation. Concurrently, similar protests are unfolding in other European countries, including Germany and Belgium.
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