Vincent Roberti, Prefect of Tarn-et-Garonne, strongly condemns these actions which do not emanate from the agricultural unions of the department. He recalls that dialogue with the unions of the agricultural profession in Tarn-et-Garonne is constant and that in-depth work is carried out on the demands of farmers.
Wednesday November 20, 2024, at the beginning of the afternoon, farmers from the Lot-et-Garonne rural coordination (47) organized a blocking action targeting the Intermarché logistics warehouse located in Montbatier, in Tarn- et-Garonne (82). This warehouse, crucial for supplying more than 200 points of sale with fresh and ultra-fresh products, saw its activity interrupted by the presence of 70 demonstrators, 25 tractors and 30 light vehicles blocking access.
A mobilization under tension
This demonstration, carried out without consultation with the local rural coordination (82), was deemed “abnormal” by the local authorities. In response, the prefect of Tarn-et-Garonne, Vincent Roberti, ordered the evacuation of the site. More than 100 members of the police, including 60 from the Republican Security Company (CRS 84), were deployed.
At 7:30 p.m., the demonstrators left the scene after dumping waste and setting fires in the logistics zone and its access points.
Significant road disruptions
Due to the spills, the roundabout connecting Avenue des Graves and Rue de Venise, on the RD820, remains blocked in both directions. Diversions have been put in place:
- For light vehicles : via the D6 and the D930, passing through Labastide and Bressols.
- For heavy goods vehicles : via the D813 and the D928, towards Grisolles and Montech to reach interchange 65 of the ring road.
The authorities continue to monitor the situation, with the Prefecture's departmental operational center (COD) remaining active since this morning.
Condemnation of local authorities
Prefect Vincent Roberti strongly condemned these actions, stressing that they do not reflect the positions of the department's agricultural unions. He recalled the importance of constant dialogue with local unions, in particular the FDSEA and the Young Farmers (JA 82), who recently met the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, to discuss issues specific to Tarn-et- Garonne.
The prefect reaffirmed his commitment to working on agricultural demands in a concerted manner, in collaboration with professional unions, while denouncing actions deemed radical and disorderly.
