[France] Government announces measures to cool farmers’ protests

In France, the new prime minister has announced measures to help enraged farmers including emergency cash aid and controls on imported food. The measures are intended to temper a protest movement that has seen tractors shut down highways country-wide and prompted similar actions across Europe, WOKV reports.

Farmers protesting for better pay, fewer constraints and lower costs are currently camped out on hay-scattered highways, encircling Paris.

The protests reportedly pose the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Gabriel Attal since his appointment last month. On January 30, the prime minister tried to soothe their concerns in a policy speech at the National Assembly.

“We need to listen to the farmers, who are working and are worried about their future and their livelihood,” Mr Attal said.

"The goal is clear: guaranteeing fair competition, especially so that regulations that are being applied to (French) farmers are also respected by foreign products,'' he said. Protection against cheap imports is one of the protesters’ primary demands.

The prime minister reportedly promised emergency aid to struggling wine producers and quick payments of EU subsidies to others. In addition, he said food retailers who fail to comply with a law meant to ensure a fair share of revenues for farmers will be fined, effective immediately.

French farmers spent the night at barricades from January 29-30, following several days of escalating protests. The movement is drawing attention to the reality that growing and rearing food has become too difficult and not sufficiently lucrative.

Protesters had reportedly rejected pro-agriculture measures announced by the prime minister the previous week as insufficient. They have threatened to move in on Paris - host of the Summer Olympics - if their demands aren't met. The farmers came with tents and reserves of food and water, ready for an extended battle.

The government reportedly announced a deployment of 15,000 police officers - the majority in the Paris region - to halt any attempts by the protesters to enter the capital. Officers and armoured vehicles were also stationed at the city’s Rungis market.

Source: WOKV

In France, the new prime minister has announced measures to help enraged farmers including emergency cash aid and controls on imported food. The measures are intended to temper a protest movement that has seen tractors shut down highways country-wide and prompted similar actions across Europe, WOKV reports.

Farmers protesting for better pay, fewer constraints and lower costs are currently camped out on hay-scattered highways, encircling Paris.

The protests reportedly pose the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Gabriel Attal since his appointment last month. On January 30, the prime minister tried to soothe their concerns in a policy speech at the National Assembly.

“We need to listen to the farmers, who are working and are worried about their future and their livelihood,” Mr Attal said.

"The goal is clear: guaranteeing fair competition, especially so that regulations that are being applied to (French) farmers are also respected by foreign products,'' he said. Protection against cheap imports is one of the protesters’ primary demands.

The prime minister reportedly promised emergency aid to struggling wine producers and quick payments of EU subsidies to others. In addition, he said food retailers who fail to comply with a law meant to ensure a fair share of revenues for farmers will be fined, effective immediately.

French farmers spent the night at barricades from January 29-30, following several days of escalating protests. The movement is drawing attention to the reality that growing and rearing food has become too difficult and not sufficiently lucrative.

Protesters had reportedly rejected pro-agriculture measures announced by the prime minister the previous week as insufficient. They have threatened to move in on Paris - host of the Summer Olympics - if their demands aren't met. The farmers came with tents and reserves of food and water, ready for an extended battle.

The government reportedly announced a deployment of 15,000 police officers - the majority in the Paris region - to halt any attempts by the protesters to enter the capital. Officers and armoured vehicles were also stationed at the city’s Rungis market.

Source: WOKV