the Total Energies premises targeted

This Wednesday, March 13, around fifty farmers blocked the gates of the Total Energies premises in Pau. They are demanding the detaxation of GNR to reach €1. Sometimes violent actions, as in Bordeaux, condemned yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau.

The mobilization continues. In the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in Pau, the departmental rural coordination continues its actions. This Wednesday, March 13, around fifty farmers, from Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Landes and Gers, gathered in front of the Jean Freger center, which houses the Total Energies premises.

They blocked the main access to the company, with around twenty tractors. A method that has become traditional, farmers dumped tires and manure there. They are asking for lower taxes to obtain GNR at €1. “With the money they have made, we will have to make an effort to offer GNR capped at €1 including tax. We ask that they open a commission with the government to offer tax-free diesel”explains Gilles Casaux, president of Rural Coordination 64.

“A burst of pressure” after a first date a few weeks ago. “There, there is a director from Paris who comes down to meet us at 3 p.m.,” rejoices the president of Rural Coordination 64.

“Hold the seat”, this is the union’s credo to obtain new measures. “Misery turned to anger. Afterwards, it’s hatred, and there, we no longer control anything.” warns Gilles Casaux.

Pressures which also materialized this Monday, in Bordeaux. This time, it was the Regional Council which was the union’s target. Around a hundred farmers disrupted the plenary session to question Alain Rousset, the president of the Region, on “his politics” particularly in environmental matters, and in matters of aid.

The mobilization had partially degenerated both inside and outside where clashes broke out between police and farmers. On Franceinfo, this Tuesday March 12, the Minister of Agriculture condemned these actions. “Never accept. Never justify. Never diminish. It is a principle of democracy”, insisted Marc Fesneau, specifying that“no dialogue is possible under threat.”

In the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, farmers are considering issuing an ultimatum to the government and oil groups. “In Biriatou, they announced June 1 as the deadline for detaxing GNR but also other agricultural charges. We are considering doing the same,” explains Gilles Casaux. The standoff between the two parties is therefore not over.