Rural Coordination via a video broadcast by the spokesperson for the Tarn-et-Garonne union, Pierre-Guillaume Mercadal, calls for a blockade of all major roads in Paris on January 5, 2025. A call for broad mobilization which surprises, on form, within the agricultural union organization itself.
The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection
Every day, our editorial team reserves the best regional news for you. A selection just for you, to stay in touch with your regions.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the newsletter “Today’s essentials: our exclusive selection”. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
“On January 5, 2025, we are all going to block Paris!” The call for large-scale mobilization is launched by the spokesperson for the Tarn-et-Garonne Rural Coordination, Pierre-Guillaume Mercadal. In a video broadcast yesterday, Friday, December 27, 2024, on his Instagram account or on “save the French peasantry”.
Almost a year after the start of the major highway blockages and one month before the elections in the chambers of agriculture, the Rural Coordination wants to start a new standoff: “The only thing that will move the State is that we block Paris, if we touch them, they will react!” says the woolly pig breeder based in Monjoi.
This appeal is also addressed to the “non-agricultural population”, “truck drivers”, “artisans, traders”. It is not an isolated decision but an order from the national office. In any case, this is what Pierre-Guillaume Mercadal assures France 3 Occitanie:
I communicated given that I have larger social networks than others, I did so with the agreement of the national office
Pierre Guillaume Mercadal, spokesperson for CR Tarn-et-Garonne
But the announcement of this strong mobilization on January 5 surprised even within the agricultural union. “I discovered the call for mobilization last night through this video that was sent to me,” admits Lionel Candelon, president of CR Occitanie and Gers, who is awaiting more information internally.
We are waiting for the elements to decide whether or not we take part in the mobilization. This was not planned, what we planned was to go and see the farmers at home. The challenge is to win as many chambers of agriculture as possible in the next elections to return agriculture to farmers. We will take our part in the mobilization, if we wish, we just have to organize ourselves
Lionel Candelon, president of the Occitanie rural coordination
Among the demands put forward by Pierre-Guillaume Mercadal in the video, we find the main points stated for several weeks by Véronique Le Floc'h, national president of the CR to “ensure food sovereignty”, as with our colleagues from France info: “Creation of the agricultural exception as for the cinema, exit from the WTO to import just what we need, stop of the overtransposition of standards, but also exit from the Arenh (Regulated Access to Historical Nuclear Electricity, editor's note)” lists the breeder.
Arguments, some of which were put forward by the National Rally, particularly on the end of the Arenh. Its removal was even the subject of a bill submitted by Marine Le Pen's party in October 2023 to the National Assembly.
Once again, the breeder defends himself from any recovery or political connection: “What interests me is the peasant cause,” he retorts. However, Pierre Guillaume Marcadal has become a leading figure in certain far-right circles, which has created a buzz, since his appearance at the last agricultural show and the publication of his video with Papacito. The far-right YouTuber supported him in his opposition to the mayor of Montjoi. A case for which the breeder was also sentenced last July to 12 months in prison for contempt and harassment.
Read also: Pierre-Guillaume Mercadal: the woolly pig breeder who became a symbol of the far-right among farmers
In Tarn-et-Garonne, the announcement of this new call for mobilization also surprises other union organizations such as the departmental FDSEA. “You teach me, confides Damien Garrigues, its president. Whether to join in, I don’t know.”
While farmers end the year 2024 for many with a bank account in the red, the FDSEA wanted to reconnect with the new government team of François Bayrou as soon as the school holidays end.
“The first point that will be on the table is the signing of everything that we have been promised”. Cash flow aid, guaranteed loans, the list of unrealized measures is still long for professionals who always brandish the threat of tough action: “You are there at our service and not the opposite. Your predecessors or yourselves have made commitments. Today, you must make them a reality and sign them with the aim of ensuring that farmers do better and especially those in the best condition. difficulty because they are starting to get more than tired of counting people at the end of a rope due to your inaction,” launches the president of FDSEA 82.
The agricultural movement is far from over and risks indeed becoming tougher against the backdrop of an electoral battle.
