Demonstrations intensify this Wednesday across the country. While farmers are now threatening to block Paris if government responses do not arrive quickly, Emmanuel Macron remains silent on the farmers’ demands.
3:40 p.m. – A European flag burned in Agen
After dumping slurry in front of the prefecture, throwing bales of straw from a McDonald’s restaurant, the farmers of Agen this time burned a European flag this Wednesday, January 24. The European Union, its aid and its administrative procedures are largely under pressure and are bearing the brunt of protests from the peasant world.
14:59 – The silence of Emmanuel Macron
Head of State Emmanuel Macron remains completely silent for the moment regarding the demands of farmers and the numerous demonstrations underway in the country. While Prime Minister Gabriel Attal must make announcements by the end of the week, the President of the Republic simply reacted via a tweet on Tuesday January 23: “To our farmers: I asked the government to be fully mobilized to provide concrete solutions to the difficulties you encounter” we can read.
14:01 – Polish farmers block 160 roads
This Wednesday, Polish farmers announced that they had blocked more than 160 roads in the country to denounce “uncontrolled” imports of Ukrainian agri-food products and demand a review of the Common Agricultural Policy. “There are more than 160 road and traffic blockages across Poland,” Adrian Wawrzyniak toldAFPspokesperson for the Solidarity of Individual Farmers union which is coordinating the protest movement.
1:33 p.m. – News from the husband of the deceased farmer and the investigation
The public prosecutor of Foix gave news of the health of the husband of the farmer who died yesterday at a blockage point in Ariège. The man is still being cared for and “his vital prognosis is no longer in jeopardy, although he remains seriously injured”, we can read in the press release. The prosecutor also announced the progress of the investigation, recalling that a judicial investigation must be opened this afternoon into the accident in which a farmer and her daughter were killed. “The driver admitted to having circumvented the special safety device which blocked access to the RN20. He specified that he did not realize in time the presence of the black tarpaulin which covered the straw wall,” indicated the magistrate.
13:08 – Goods traffic to the UK blocked by farmers at the port of Calais
Some farmers have decided to block border roads, particularly those used by trucks to transport goods to the United Kingdom. A blockade is effectively organized on the main access route to the port of Calais and prevents access “to all freight but allows tourist vehicles to pass” indicated the port at Parisian. Near Calais, the A16 is also blocked at certain levels, without however disrupting traffic in the Channel Tunnel.
12:29 – “No question” of preventing blockages for the government
“The blockages are taking place and there is no question of preventing this expression of demand […] because the demonstrations are organized within a legal framework”, assured the government spokesperson, Prisca Thévenot, at the end of the Council of Ministers. The Minister of the Interior had already ruled out the idea of evacuating the points blockades held by farmers.
12:06 – Gabriel Attal will go “very quickly to the field” assures the government spokesperson
Government spokesperson Prisca Thévenot spoke this Wednesday after the Council of Ministers. She said the government had “heard” the farmers’ call and would “continue to respond”. “This agricultural nation meets its responsibilities every day,” she continues.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal “undertook to get on the ground very quickly”. The government will make announcements “in the days to come” and without “taboo” she concludes.
11:51 – Fabien Roussel talks with farmers on the A16
The National Secretary of the French Communist Party Fabien Roussel was present this Wednesday morning on the A16 near Beauvais to discuss with farmers. In particular, he discussed with them the administrative lengths they face and the regular checks to which they are subject. “I know that to apply for subsidies, you have to pay firms” he declared. A use of firms which can be billed up to 800 euros.
11:02 – The FDSEA of Seine-et-Marne threatens to “block the entire Île-de-France”
The FDSEA of Seine-et-Marne threatens to block “the entire Île-de-France” via a tweet published this Wednesday. “For the moment, the strategy is to alert, to show that the anger is there , that it is time for a change. That the government’s contempt for our profession must stop” indicates Cyrille Milard, president of the FDSEA 77 on France Blue Paris. “We rather want to communicate. But in 10 days, if the government has not given us clear and precise answers (…) we will block the entire Île-de-France” he said
10:23 – Marine Tondelier (EELV) “supports the movement 200%”
This Wednesday morning, the general secretary of EELV Marine Tondelier wanted to express her support for farmers in the morning of TF1 : “I 200% support this movement of anger by farmers” she indicated. For her, ecology and agriculture are far from incompatible: “For a very long time, we have been allies in these struggles to fight free trade treaties, to save agricultural land. When we protect the soil, the water, then we protect agriculture,” she explains. This Wednesday, Environmentalists are holding a press conference to announce a series of trips on the theme of agriculture.
09:59 – “The goal is not to annoy the French” proclaims the FNSEA
“The objective is not to annoy the French, it is to obtain rapid results because farmers today feel affected in their freedom to undertake, in the way of doing their job at daily. Administrative accumulation, controls, standards… all that is no longer tenable” concedes Arnaud Rousseau, the president of the FNSEA this Wednesday morning on franceinfo.
09:48 – The Agricultural Show threatened according to Véronique Le Floc’h
Pressure on the Agricultural Show. The president of Rural Coordination indicated this morning on BFMTV that the show “could be hot” this year. As a reminder, it will be held from February 24 to March 3 in Paris. Véronique Le Floc’h did not hesitate to question the actions of politicians: “There is a deadline and I think that all our politicians must be aware of it. If no response is provided quickly, they know very well although the Salon de l’Agriculture could be hot”. “Let our politicians wake up!” she also said.
09:41 – The Bordeaux ring road blocked by 300 tractors
The Bordeaux ring road blocked. No less than 300 tractors and other vehicles have formed 10km of traffic jams around interchange 26 coming from Libourne and Bordeaux since this Wednesday morning, indicates Le Figaro. “We came very early, we are used to getting up at these times, today it is essential” explains the president of the Young Farmers in South-Gironde to France 3 New Aquitaine.
09:25 – “I am for floor prices” insists François Ruffin
Political guest of South Radio this Wednesday morning, the LFI deputy for the Somme François Ruffin insists that he is “for floor prices”. To help farmers, it would be preferable to establish “a minimum price for milk, one for pork, one for poultry which guarantees that with this, farmers can make a living from their work” he said. spear. He also raised the possibility of setting up import quotas.
09:16 – A snail’s operation on the A7
A snail operation is planned this Wednesday on the A7 from Orange to Bollène, according to information from BFMTV. This demonstration comes on top of the blockade in place since yesterday morning. De facto, the highway is closed in both directions for almost its entire length from Sorgues.