Important entrances to cities have been blocked and tractors on highways have created chaos. Angry European farmers have been protesting increased costs and tighter regulations for over a week now.
But in France, you are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
– We have decided to call off the roadblocks, says Arnaud Rousseau, leader of the largest farmers’ trade union, FNSEA, according to TT.
For over a week, European farmers have demonstrated against the governments’ agricultural policies, blocking central roads with tractors. Fertilizer and food have been dumped in the middle of the cities. Common for the farmers is that they feel pressured.
Increased costs and increased taxes have meant that margins have shrunk and competition has intensified. Farmers also criticize that the EU opens up to imports from South America, which leads to European farmers being outcompeted.
Lifts roadblocks
But now the French government seems to have found a way out. The new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, says according to TT that “we want to pay attention to the farmers” and “protect the farmers against unfair competition”.
According to AFP, the French Ministry of Finance has estimated that the entire budget to accommodate the French farmers will be 400 million euros. Concessions to appease the protests of the French peasants.
On Thursday evening, the leader of FNSEA, France’s largest agricultural union, Arnaud Rousseau announced that the protests would be called off. This is after the government offered concessions as financial support and the plan to increase the diesel tax has been stopped.
– We have decided to blow off the roadblocks and are mobilizing in other ways, says Arnaud Rousseau according to AFP.
Thousands of farmers in Brussels
During the EU summit in Brussels, thousands of farmers from all over Europe gathered to protest. Many are angry about the free trade agreement with South American Mercosur, which provides unfair competition.
French President Macron has had discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about the future of European agriculture. According to TT, von der Leyen says that the commission will present proposals to ease administrative requirements on farmers.
– The goal is for us to develop together an idea, a vision and a road map for how to achieve our common goals.
Farmers from Germany, Belgium, Poland, Greece, Italy, Romania and the Netherlands have also put pressure on their governments.