By Sama Marwan,
French farmers, represented by the trade union Coordination Rurale, have announced plans to blockade Paris on Sunday, January 5, 2025, unless Prime Minister François Bayrou and Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard agree to meet with them.
The farmers’ grievances include:
- EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: They are demanding that the European Union scrap the proposed trade pact with the South American trade bloc Mercosur, expressing concerns over increased imports of agricultural products that could undermine French farmers’ competitiveness.
- Regulatory Constraints: The farmers are calling for the loosening of stringent regulations that they believe hinder their operations and profitability.
- Delayed Subsidies: They seek the repayment of delayed subsidies, which are crucial for sustaining their agricultural activities.
In recent months, French farmers have staged several nationwide protests, blocking highways and dumping produce to express their dissatisfaction with government policies and international trade agreements.
The planned blockade of Paris signifies an escalation in their protest activities, aiming to pressure the government into addressing their demands.
French Farmers Intensify Protests Against EU-Mercosur Trade Deal
