The spark ignited the blaze of anger. On Wednesday, November 20, the farmers of Indre-et-Loire kicked off their mobilization, meeting simultaneously in Château-Renault and Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, at around 6 p.m.
In Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine as in Château-Renault, around fifty people sought warmth around fires lit for the occasion. Some gendarmes observe the peaceful demonstration. As they pass, a few motorists honk their horns.
In Château-Renault, farmers occupied the Guesnière roundabout.
© (Photo cor. NR, Alain Véhent)
“Put everything together, at one point we can’t take it anymore”
“Not bonfires”corrects in Sainte-Maure Sébastien Prouteau, administrator of the FNSEA in the department, but fires “symbolizing anger and revolt” of the profession. At the foot of the tractors which line the gathering place, everyone has in mind the mobilizations at the beginning of the year, and their lack of results. “Promises were not followed by actions”continues the union representative. Added to this is a year of unfavorable climate for harvests, and the sword of Damocles represented by the potential free trade agreement with Mercosur. “The straw”for Sébastien Prouteau.
The atmosphere is “fed up” general. “ I regret having settled my wife and my son”sighs, a few meters away, Hugues Robin, mixed-culture dairy farmer in Chambon. He calls for the cancellation of the proposed free trade treaty with Mercosur, which he believes would put French farmers in a situation of unfair competition with South American producers. “We are the only profession where when you sow, you don’t know the price at which you are going to sell. »
During the farmers’ gathering in Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, Wednesday November 20, 2024.
© Photo NR
“They no longer want agriculture in France”adds Frédéric Echard, cereal grower in Ligueil, alongside him. “It’s a shame, we have a great job. But you have to be able to make a living from it. »
On site, mainly farmers. Few people outside the profession, notes Patricia Letort, municipal councilor of Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, who insisted on making the trip. “They are people close to us, I know almost all of them. »
She regrets that, in this tense social context, the mobilizations of the different professions do not snowball “Everyone should mobilize in all areas. »
“It won’t stay there”
Here, many farmers imagine the mobilization launched this evening will last. Near a fire, a group of young people share a glass of wine. “If it has to be tougher, why notjudge Maxime Marquet. If more impact is needed, we will respond. » Agricultural employee, he wants to start his own business on the family goat farm. Controls, standards, climate, Mercosur… “Put everything together, at some point you can't take it anymore. It won't stay there, that's for sure. »
“We will have to move, we will have to toughen our tone in relation to the latest actions”announces on the megaphone in front of the assembly Cédric Raguin, secretary general of the FNSEA in the department. “All ideas are welcome. »
“It’s Paris that you have to go to”replied a farmer. “Is it possible to depend on European flags from town halls? »asks another. “That might be a good idea.”confirms Cédric Raguin. “We are not against manure”says Frédérique Alexandre, president of the FNSEA in Indre-et-Loire. “If you want to get rid of it, we can find solutions…”
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