Anger of farmers: burning roundabout, Christmas tree in front of the DDT… the JA and the FDSEA of Gers are mobilizing again

2:30 p.m. Jean-Baptiste arrives at the Saint-Cricq roundabout, in Auch. Since 1 p.m., he has been at the wheel of his tractor, a New Holland. “I took a little surprise from Gimont,” he laughs as a sound of metal resonates. It is Monday, December 2, and this young farmer is preparing to participate in the second mobilization movement of Young Farmers of Gers this end of the year.

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“We had several meetings, and we chose this date to demonstrate because it is the date when the new prefect takes office,” explains the operator. “We come to talk about simplification of standards.” For Jean-Baptiste, mobilization is costly. “In terms of money, you have to count around a hundred euros for tires and 100 or 150€ for diesel, not to mention a big afternoon of missed work. Afterwards we are surprised that the farmers hang themselves, but that's it. is normal.”

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After a few minutes of driving, Jean-Baptiste reaches the Justes roundabout. He is alongside dozens of other convoys, coming from the Fleurance and Vic-Fezensac roads. In total, there are around a hundred farmers stationed there. Dozens of bales of straw, tires and other “bottoms” were dumped.

“I came to support them”

On this roundabout, the “fires of anger” burn. And Jean-Baptiste, alongside his colleagues, is heading to the Departmental Territorial Directorate. “We have to show that we are full of it” chanted Guillaume Fauqué, president of the Young Farmers of Gers, during a global update a few minutes earlier.

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Newspapers, old papers, loose sheets: everything is crushed and sent behind the DDT gate. Senator Alain Duffourg is present, witness to these “returned” papers. “I came to support them,” he says quickly. The action doesn't stop there. Using ribbons, it is a real Christmas tree that the JA offer to the DDT.

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“We are here because there have already been basic and common sense announcements but we want it to go further, for the forward movement to be launched and for the moment the account is still not there “, deplores Guillaume Fauqué. The president of the JA hopes, with this action before the DDT, to denounce the administrative overload which weighs on farmers, and “this little tree with the end of year celebrations is essential.”

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“We are still going to carry our messages”

A little after 5 p.m., a delegation from the JA and the FDSEA was received by the new prefect of Gers, Alain Castanier. “We are still going to carry our messages, everyone up in front of the prefecture,” said Guillaume Fauqué.

While waiting for the delegation, some of the farmers left a construction site radar in front of the prefecture, accompanied by some shredded papers. In front of the institution, two levels of barriers are installed, making it impossible for tractors to pass through.