On the evening of Thursday, November 14, several radars in the Oise were covered with tarpaulins by angry farmers. In their sights: the Mercosur agreement, which they consider devastating for their profession, and government promises which they consider unkept. Tired of administrative pressure, the slowness of reforms and dry treasuries, they are demanding concrete and immediate measures to relieve a sector that is running out of steam.
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Under cover of night, farmers struck hard in the Oise. Several road radars, along the main roads, have been covered with tarpaulins. A punchy action intended to draw attention to their growing anger. “Covering the radars is to annoy the government, just as it annoys us” reacts Alexandre Gibault, one of the mobilized farmers, from the top of the basket.
On site, their distress is echoed among the spectators. A truck driver, who witnessed the scene, expressed his support: “things have to move, they are right. They make us eat. They are in their fields every day. I see them on the road. They work“.
For months, farmers have been sounding the alarm. The breaking point? The Mercosur free trade agreement between the European Union and several South American countries, which could soon enter into force. For them, this agreement jeopardizes their work. “We are protesting against Mercosur, which will import meat and other products that do not meet our standards, underlines Alexandre Gibault, and also to defend income. We came out for this and this is just the beginning“.
“We're tired of working for nothing, adds Bertrand Chauffier, also an FDSEA farmer from Oise, to leave our children and grandchildren the hope of only eating things imported from the rest of the world and us, to prevent us from making standardized quality products at a reasonable price while the majority of Europe will be fed , if this continues, with Brazilian cows which have no health monitoring and no respect for animal and plant standards“.
The farmers are still hoping for a boost from the public authorities, but their message is also addressed to the general public: “We want people to know that the European Union is in talks to sign an agreement that will allow the importation of food products that do not meet our standards. These products, rejected by society, will nevertheless end up on their plates, without their knowledge, particularly in canteens and collective catering.“ alert Linda Monnier, FDSEA director of Oise.
Faced with this situation, the union denounces unsustainable unfair competition, which endangers French agriculture.
The agreement that will be signed by Europe will destroy agriculture and in particular breeders.
Linda Monnier, FDSEA director of Oise
He also criticizes the government for not having kept any of its promises of legislative simplification, although announced at the start of the year. This anger resurfaces after a first national movement last January. She was calmed at the time by several government announcements. But almost a year later, the account is not there.
“We had lifted the barriers, convinced that things were going to change, but nothing progressed. With the dissolution of the Assembly, certain measures were even called into question. Now we want something concrete“ insists the director.
“It’s France that gives us nice words and signs unacceptable agreements behind our backs“ acuse Bertrand Chauffier. The Mercosur agreement crystallizes the exasperation of mobilized farmers. “Cash flow is dry, morale is at its lowest and the mental load is becoming unbearable with controls and administrative slowness. Farmers can't take it anymore“ adds Linda Monnier.
The unions are demanding concrete and immediate actions, pointing to months of inaction. “We want change in our daily lives, more flexibility, less pressure. If it's going to take time, give us a specific date. But we can't wait any longer for months.” For them, the urgency is clear: to stop what they call “the French straightjacket” by suspending certain measures and accelerating the promised reforms. “Farmers will only return to their farms if they feel real progress. Otherwise, further actions will follow“ warns Linda Monnier
Across the department, thirty-one radars were covered this Thursday evening, under the lenient eye of the gendarmes. Other actions are planned this evening in the Oise, accompanied by “fires of anger“lit along certain roads to symbolize”that there is fire in the countryside. With these operations, farmers want to send a clear message to decision-makers.
These localized actions call for others at the national level. “We won't give up.” they assure. A new large-scale movement across the country is planned for Monday. The FDSEA of Oise is calling for a gathering in Beauvais at 3 p.m., followed by a symbolic meeting in front of the prefecture at 7 p.m., where dozens of municipal signs collected in recent days will be placed. A bivouac is then organized on site to maintain pressure on the authorities.
With Anthony Halpern / FTV
