French Farmers Prepare for New Round of Protests Amid Growing Anger

paris - French farmers are gearing up for a new wave of protests with blockades, fires, and demonstrations in response to various grievances. The government has warned against violence as tensions rise.

France's largest union alliance FNSEA-JA has initiated a new series of agricultural protests to emphasize their demands. 85 demonstration points will be set up across the country. "We don't want concrete blockades like last year," said Pierrick Horel, chairman of JA (Jeunes Agriculteurs) on French TV channel RMC. The protests mainly consist of blockades, fires, and demonstrations.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned the unions that violence "will not be tolerated." The minister set three boundaries: "No damage to property, no harm to people, and no fortifications." In case of "persistent blockades," the minister promised a zero-tolerance policy. "Farmers are free to demonstrate and they have some reasons to do so. But public order applies to all French people," emphasized Retailleau. "No one is above the law."

Arnaud Rousseau, president of FNSEA, regrets the "gap" between politics and the "economic reality of the sector." The unions argue that the EU-Mercosur trade agreement leads to unfair competition, as the cheap South American products do not meet European environmental and health standards. The differences mainly lie in the use of hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics, as well as animal welfare.

Pol Devillers, vice president of JA, warned that Europe will "go up in flames" if the Mercur agreement is signed. According to the vice president, the entire profession at the European level is against the agreement. "So if this agreement is reached, Europe will be in flames," stated Devillers on BFMTV. He also addressed the low incomes within the profession: "We cannot renew generations by promising our youth an income based on subsidies. We want to safeguard the income of our farmers and continue to attract young people."

Paul Mougenot, a grain farmer from the Aisne department, confirmed that he cannot make ends meet financially as a grain farmer: "I am forced to have two jobs and usually I am in debt," he told French TV channel RTL. "We cannot make a living from our work, even though we work 365 days a year," he continued. Many farmers have to choose between "mobilization or the noose," believes Mougenot, who thinks Emmanuel Macron has fooled the sector. "Agriculture is no longer a national priority," concluded the grain farmer.

From Argentina, Emmanuel Macron tried to reassure the farmers by stating that France "will not sign the free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur in its current form."

Although the French government has long been opposed to the treaty, a solid majority of EU member states support the free trade agreement. It will be difficult for the French to boycott the agreement.

According to Sophie Primas, deputy minister for foreign trade abroad, the free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries is "the symbol of the incoherence of European government policy." On BFM Business, she emphasized the need for "balanced and fair" trade agreements and stated that the Mercosur agreement, which was first negotiated in the 2000s, "no longer fits" in the current world.

The duration of the farmer protests is still unclear. Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard warned that the relationship between the French and their farmers will come under pressure in case of outbursts of violence or blockades, especially in the run-up to the holidays. The minister recently made a series of commitments to the sector. For example, there will be a fund of 75 million euros for farmers affected by bluetongue, 120 million euros will be allocated for the uprooting of vineyards, and farmers can count on cash flow support through subsidized loans. The tax increase on fuel for agricultural vehicles will also be canceled, and agricultural pensions will be revised.