the Rural Coordination calls “to go to Paris” on Sunday, “several dozen tractors ready to take position”

The second agricultural union says it is maintaining its actions, despite warnings issued by the prefectures of Paris and Val-de-Marne.

Rural Coordination calls on its members to demonstrate “everywhere in France” et “to ride in Paris, by car or tractor” from Sunday January 5. “The idea is to be there on Sunday afternoon to demonstrate on Monday.”declared to AFP Patrick Legras, spokesperson for the second agricultural union. Customary of punchy actions, the CR wants to obtain guarantees from the Prime Minister for the defense of agriculture focused on the protection of small farmers whom it considers crushed by free trade. The union is particularly expecting a commitment on two points “which cost nothing” : on the one hand, “remove the overtransposition of European rules in France” and, on the other hand, the implementation of “import controls”explains Patrick Legras.

In response, the prefectures of Paris and Val-de-Marne decided to ban “any undeclared gathering” in the center of Paris and the Rungis market area, from Sunday 6 p.m. and until Monday noon, “considering the calls for demonstrations launched by an agricultural union with a view to 'blocking the capital' and blocking the Rungis market of national interest”according to the two published decrees. A large area of ​​central Paris including the Elysée and the National Assembly is affected, and an area including the Rungis market and the A6B.

On Saturday, the Rural Coordination affirmed that this changed nothing in its actions. “Plans are maintained as planned and kept confidential so that these actions can proceed as planned”assured AFP Véronique Le Floc'h, the president of the CR, who mentions “several dozen tractors already dispersed, ready to take position.” “We will be in Paris on Sunday evening, continues Patrick Legras, spokesperson for the CR. We have a meeting point in 91 [Essonne]another in the 27 [Eure] and another which is being defined”.

The call to demonstrate was relayed at the end of December, a few days before the official launch of the campaign for the elections to the chambers of agriculture, which begins on January 7 and will determine the new balance of power between agricultural unions. Friday, Matignon announced that the Prime Minister would receive “in turn” agricultural unions on January 13. A date considered too far away by Rural Coordination.