Thousands of angry French farmers, on January 30, continued to disrupt major highways for the second consecutive day of their protest.
The protest called the “siege” of Paris was initiated on January 26 by flipping and burning a truck on a road near Paris, marking the start of their blockade of key routes into the city, extending their grievances with the government over fuel subsidies and perceived unfair competition.
Farmers deployed convoys of tractors, trailers, and harvesters on January 29, Monday, to strengthen the siege aimed at securing further concessions.
“This is the final battle for farming,” Karine Duc, a farmer from the southwestern department of Lot-et-Garonne told AFP as she joined a convoy heading toward Paris. “It’s a question of survival.”
Some demonstrators arrived prepared with supplies of food, water, and tents, ready to maintain barricades should the government refuse to compromise.
“We will block all the main highways that go to and from Paris, up to 30 kilometers from Paris… our objective is to put pressure on the government, so that we can quickly find a solution for a way out of the crisis.”
French government plans new measures to calm protestors
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal addressed the grievances of frustrated farmers on Tuesday, offering a range of assistance measures, from emergency financial aid to tighter controls on imported goods, in an effort to ease the protest movement.
In a comprehensive policy speech at the National Assembly, he aimed to alleviate their concerns, emphasizing the need for protection against inexpensive imports, a key demand of the protesters.
“The goal is clear: guaranteeing fair competition, especially so that regulations that are being applied to (French) farmers are also respected by foreign products,” the prime minister said.
“We need to listen to the farmers, who are working and are worried about their future and their livelihood,” Attal said.
It is a new challenge for Attal, who is in the first month of his new job. So far, Attal has pledged immediate emergency aid for struggling wine producers and expedited payments of EU subsidies for others. Additionally, he announced that food retailers failing to comply with laws ensuring fair revenue shares for farmers would face immediate fines.
France deploys 15,000 police officers
In response to farmers’ threats over the weekend to lay “siege” to Paris, French authorities say 15,000 police have been mobilized to stop tractors entering the capital and other cities. The French government has also stationed armored vehicles at a hub for fresh food supplies in the capital.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told security forces to show restraint but also warned farmers not to interfere with strategic areas around the capital. “We’re not going to allow government buildings or tax offices or supermarkets to be damaged, or lorries transporting foreign produce to be stopped,” he said.
Why are French farmers protesting?
The protests are part of an intensifying standoff between farmers and the French government. French farmers, representing the EU’s largest agricultural sector, a long list of grievances.
Their grievances include complaints about low wages, challenges from cheaper imports and environmental policies, unfair foreign competition and over-regulation.
“This is about the anger of country people being treated by fools. We work like dogs. Our message is: Buy French produce, make that effort,” Virgile, a farmer demonstrating in Cavaillon in the south, told BFMTV.
French farmers are urging the government to address their concerns, seeking better remuneration for their produce, less environmental regulations and protection against cheap imports.
Farmers across Europe join protests
The issues listed by French farmers resonate with farmers across the EU, who have now joined the protest.
Farmers in Belgium, Germany, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands have stepped up their own campaign over what they call excessive red tape, high fuel costs and unfair competition resulting from liberal EU trade policies.
Belgian farmers joined protests and blocked access roads to the Zeebrugge container port for a second day. Spanish and Italian farmers are also taking part in the demonstrations.
Climate activists throw soup at Mona Lisa painting in Paris amidst protests
Earlier on January 28, climate activists threw soup at the iconic Mona Lisa painting in a bid to call for a sustainable food system.
A video circulating on social media showed two female protesters hurling soup towards the 16th-century masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. “What’s more important thing?” one of the woman shouted at the Louvre Museum. “Art, or the right to healthy and sustainable food?”
“Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work,” they added.
The environmental group Riposte Alimentaire “Food Response” said its two protesters were behind the incident.
Subsequently, museum staff swiftly intervened, evacuating the room and placing black panels in front of the artwork. The classic piece remained unharmed behind its protective glass. Authorities later confirmed the arrest of the two individuals.