The approach is intended above all to be symbolic but will certainly signal the start of a mobilization which could increase in the coming weeks. A year after strong mobilizations, the agricultural world is once again fueled by anger and difficulties which have not diminished, far from it.
In Indre, the FDSEA-Young Farmers (JA) alliance will take part in the national mobilization by participating in the “The Fires of Anger” operation, initiated throughout France.
“There’s still nothing concrete happening on the farms”
“The idea is to light lights, at 7:45 p.m., on thirteen roundabouts in the department, indicates Pulchérie Fournier, FDSEA 36 host. We want to remind you that we are still here because, over the past year, we have mostly heard nice words but nothing concrete is still happening on the farms. »
In short, agricultural anger has not subsided one bit and it will at least be heard on thirteen roundabouts in the four corners of the department: Ingrandes, Clion, Issoudun, Brassioux, Châteauroux (ring road), Buzançais, Niherne, Neuvy-Saint-Sépulchre, La Châtre, Argenton, Saint-Gaultier, Rivarennes and Celon. With fires expected to be visible from afar at 7:45 p.m.
For this first day of action, the FDSEA-JA union alliance wanted to use the symbol as the G20 opens this Monday, November 18, in Brazil. “The year has been catastrophic for farmers and their cash flow is at its lowest”recalls Pulchérie Fournier.
“And then there are all the international inconsistencies that are on the table, with Mercosur, China and Ukraine, continues the leader of the majority union at the Indre Chamber of Agriculture. We are not against freedom of trade or anti-European, but everyone must be in the same boat. »
“No ramdam planned in Indre”
The FDSEA and the JA were not joined by the other unions in this day of mobilization. “We will continue our work to mobilize for a fair income for all farmers but also, as for twenty-five years, on free trade agreements and deregulated international trade. But there is no ramdam planned in Indre”announces Robin Doubli for the Peasant Confederation.
The president of Rural Coordination, Maguelonne de Sèze, remained deaf to our multiple requests. Is his union planning a coup? Whatever happens, a surprise can never be ruled out, nor more spectacular mobilizations.
The concrete blocks installed on the outskirts of the prefecture, in Châteauroux, since Saturday, suggest that state services anticipated a possible convoy of tractors in the streets of the city, at one time or another.
“We don’t want to break everything”
In the meantime, the FDSEA and the JA should open the ball for agricultural demands in the department. “We don't want to break everything but use all the means at our disposal to make the situation of farmers heard at state level, continues Mélanie Soulas-Barrault, president of the Young Farmers of Indre. Above all, we want to send a message. »
A message that, if not heard, could quickly turn into something else entirely. Weekly meetings already scheduled could thus intensify the movement and increase the resonance of peasant unhappiness.
