Farmers blocked roads across France for several days to demand that the government take action to resolve the sector's various complaints. The executive has already announced measures, but farmers continue to protest because they believe the government has not gone further.
Among other measures, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal promised a tax break on agricultural diesel, committed to negotiating in Brussels the cancellation of the obligation to leave 4% of land fallow, and accelerated payments under the Common Agricultural Policy. France is the main beneficiary of 9 billion euros annually. The government official also promised that France would not ratify the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.
The protests caused a slowdown in traffic, with barriers made of straw and agricultural waste being erected in front of government offices, with demonstrations multiplying in several regions of the country, in the first major crisis faced by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who was recently sworn in. Disgruntled farmers are throwing goods on the roads and even throwing manure on the facades of buildings as a form of protest. France is the European Union's largest agricultural producer, and the French farmers' protests follow similar actions in other European countries, such as Germany and Poland, where many protesters say they are being subjected to globalization and foreign competition.
Here are some of the issues that motivated the protests.
Why are farmers protesting?
French farmers say they are not paid enough and are stifled by excessive environmental regulations.
Some of these concerns, such as competition from cheaper imports and environmental rules, are shared by producers in the rest of the EU, while others, such as negotiations over food prices, are more relevant to France.
Costs
Financially, farmers argue that pressure from the government and retailers to reduce inflation has left many producers unable to cover the high costs of energy, fertilizer and transportation.
Imports
Large imports from Ukraine and new negotiations for a trade deal between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur have fueled discontent over unfair competition in the sugar, grains and meat sectors. Large imports are resented because they put pressure on European prices and do not respect environmental standards imposed on EU farmers.
environment
When it comes to the environment, farmers disagree with EU rules on subsidies and requirements to leave 4% of farmland fallow.
Disagreements over irrigation projects and criticism over animal welfare and pollution in agriculture have increased discontent among France's elderly farming population, who feel ignored by society.
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