At war with Brussels which is trying to impose the Mercosur free trade treaty on them, the FDSEA and the Young Farmers of Vaucluse have chosen a symbolic and strategic place to express their anger: the bridge which crosses the Rhône between Gard and Vaucluse, through which thousands of vehicles pass every day.
They had arranged to meet very early this Monday morning in the parking lot of Piot Island. : 5 h 45. The objective of the Vaucluse farmers who came for the most part with their tractors ? Partially block the Europe Bridge, one of the major axes of communication between Occitanie and Provence. Because for months they have been mobilizing, the farmers of the department have seen certain lines moving thanks to their actions but not quickly enough. According to them, the government is procrastinating, taking measures… which has become unbearable for them !
« This action on the bridge of Europe is not made to last. We would have preferred not to cause problems for motorists but, given the configuration of Avignon, it could be complicated. Whatever happens, it won't last, before noon we will break camp »says Jordan Charransol, president of the JA 84
« This is a first step whose aim is to alert at the moment when the G20 begins today, in Brazil precisely, one of the countries which is pushing to impose this free trade treaty. We want to reaffirm the position of French agriculture», Adds the president of the Young Farmers of Vaucluse.
Farmers mobilized for three weeks
The farmers affirm it: their action will last : « The goal is to do several until December. There it will be during the daye », Indicates Sophie Vache, president of the FDSEA of Vaucluse (departmental federation of agricultural operators' unions). Concerning the next gatherings, no information has yet been communicated at this stage, even if a regional gathering cannot be ruled out.
The reasons for their anger are numerous. In their list of grievances, there is for example what the farmers refer to as “ of European inconsistencies» difficult for the agricultural world to accept. “ Why, for example, sign agreements with the Maghreb countries to bring tomatoes and peppers into France that we already produce? »
Next comes administrative simplification. Too many rules, too much paperwork. “ We just recorded success in controlling farms, underlines Jordan Charransol… It's good. The government noted the fact that there would only beonly one check per year…compared to 3 to 4 today. Real progress for us».
Farmers also call for economic and cash flow measuresthe year 2024 having been very complicated with execrable bad weather, a health crisis and often catastrophic harvests. “ Some of us are a little resigned, because they have not seen the changes we hoped for after our actions last year. I will tell them that they have to hang on ! »
