French farmers closed highways and threw boxes of imported products onto them today, Thursday, demanding urgent measures regarding the drop in farm gate prices, environmentally friendly regulations, and free trade policies as protests escalated towards Paris. The farmers stated that the protests, which have now entered their second week after erupting in the southwest of the country, will continue as long as the government does not respond to their demands, posing the first significant challenge to new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
In response to questions about reports suggesting that farmers might start disrupting traffic in Paris tomorrow, Friday, Arnaud Gilleau, the head of the Young Farmers Union, told reporters, "All possibilities remain on the table." The National Union of Farmers' Unions submitted a list of demands to the government late yesterday, Wednesday, including better enforcement of a law designed to protect farm gate prices.
The union also requested the continuation of tax exemptions on diesel used in agricultural vehicles, immediate payment of EU agricultural subsidies, guarantees on health and climate-related insurance payments, and immediate assistance for wine producers and organic farmers. The head of the union, Arnaud Rosso, stated, "Urgent responses are needed."
French retailers are holding annual negotiations with suppliers regarding prices, and the government aims to conclude these negotiations by the end of the month. Farmers have asserted that they will be vigilant against any efforts to lower the prices of their crops. When asked when the demonstrators would remove roadblocks, Gilleau directed the question to the Prime Minister, saying, "The key is in his hands."
