Threats to 'siege' Paris: French farmers protests push govt to act amid Ukraine food crisis
Farmers protests in France (Getty Images)
French farmers are threatening to block major roads leading to Paris as part of slow-moving nationwide protests concerning the future of their industry. They aim to catch the government's attention to the impact of the Ukraine war crisis on their livelihoods, according to AP News and Reuters.
The farmers are now causing traffic jams on major roads to Paris with tractors.
Farmers protests in France (Getty Images)
The protests in France are part of a larger global food crisis worsened by the war in Ukraine. They argue that the farming sector in France is heavily subsidized but faces excessive regulations, bureaucratic hurdles, and competition from countries with lower costs. The farmers demand the government to address these issues urgently.
Farmers protests in France (Getty Images)
“Our goal isn’t to bother or to ruin French people’s lives,” Arnaud Rousseau, one of the leaders of the protests, said.“Our goal is to put pressure on the government to rapidly find solutions out of the crisis.”
Government reaction
Earlier, the new Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, tried but failed to calm the farmers with pro-agriculture measures. The farmers say the measures did not meet their demands for more profitability, simplicity, and fairness in food production. The protesters argue that they still face challenges caused by the Ukraine war, which led to increased prices for essential inputs like fertilizer and energy.
The farmers are now determined to worsen the strike, threatening to block Paris completely. They aim to create a "siege of the capital" to push the government for more concessions. What is more, the French capital is set to host the Summer Olympics in six months.
The government has deployed 15,000 police officers, especially in the Paris region, to prevent protesters from entering the capital and to secure important sites such as airports and the Rungis market, a hub for fresh food supplies.
Now President Emmanuel Macron will try to gain support for pro-farming policies at an upcoming European Union summit in Brussels, according to French Farming Minister Marc Fesneau. Farmers within the EU have similar complaints.
Protests within the EU linked to the Ukraine crisis
In Poland, farmers announced a large-scale protest planned for January 24, which was triggered by the deteriorating situation in the agricultural sector and an influx of agro-imports from Ukraine. This is not the first time Polish farmers have protested against Ukraine food.
On November 6, 2023, Polish carriers began strikes at the border with Ukraine, demanding the restoration of the pass system for Ukrainian carriers.
On January 16, the Polish government signed an agreement with carriers to unblock the border with Ukraine. As part of the agreement, the parties agreed to suspend protests at the entrances to three border checkpoints until March 1, 2024.
For more details on the temporary suspension of the blockade, you can refer to RBC-Ukraine's material.
