Almost all of France affected as farmer protests enter second week: what to expect
Demonstrations are planned outside the EU parliament in Strasbourg
The main agricultural unions in France are backing the protests
Abaca Press / Alamy Stock Photo
Leading farmer unions are calling on members to protest again this week as all regions in France are set to be impacted by action.
Protests are set to be held from Tuesday (November 26) to Thursday (November 28), with the Jeunes Agriculteurs (Young Farmers) union stating members in “essentially all departments are planning to take action in the coming days.”
This is likely to include roadblocks by farmers using their tractors and machinery.
Other unions including the FNSEA and the Coordination Rurale group are also backing the protests, with the latter planning a demonstration outside the European Union parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, demonstrations outside of town halls, water agencies, buildings of the Office français de la biodiversité (OFB), and supermarket distribution centres are expected in up to 85 departments.
In many cases, however, the unions have not officially confirmed to outside sources where action will take place.
French media outlet TF1 says there will be significant protests in Dordogne on Tuesday.
It follows protests last week which saw disruption across France, including in the south-west where roads between Spain and France and also Bordeaux’s commercial port were blockaded.
Read more: Protesting farmers threaten to block roads, food deliveries in France
Why are French farmers protesting?
This new round of farmer protests follow a series of actions held at the beginning of the year, with many similar themes present.
A lack of progress on agreements made after January’s protests is one of the factors behind the protests, including packages for aid.
Farmers are also up in arms over the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement the bloc is trying to negotiate with countries in Latin America, including Brazil and Argentina.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated last week that France would not sign the deal in its current state, which the farmers hailed as the ‘first victory’ of the protests. Ministers from Italy and Poland also said their countries would not sign the deal.
Unions also want the use of acetamiprid, a pesticide used by hazelnut and beetroot (for sugar) producers to be reinstated. It is banned in France, but permitted in other EU countries.
Fewer restrictions on water usage and a reduction in what farmers see as restrictive EU and French bureaucracy are also among the demands.
Read more: Strikes in France in November 2024 and how you may be impacted
