The anger of farmers is palpable, and could be expressed in Paris and at its gates. Sunday, from 6 p.m., the authorities prohibit “any undeclared gathering” in the center of Paris and the Rungis market sector, while the agricultural union Coordination Rurale calls for demonstrations “in Paris” and “everywhere in France” .
A “security system” put in place
The police headquarters of Paris and that of Val-de-Marne prohibit undeclared gatherings from Sunday 6 p.m. to Monday 12 p.m., “considering the calls to demonstrate on January 5, 2025 launched by an agricultural union with a view to “blocking the capital'' and to block the Rungis market of national interest”, according to two decrees published on Friday.
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. The “security system” put in place “aims to prevent all damage and violence and all violent actions”, indicated the Paris police headquarters.
According to a police source, “internal contradictions and with other unions nevertheless reduce the risks of large-scale mobilization”.
“Dozens of tractors ready to position themselves”
On Saturday, the Rural Coordination (CR) once again maintained, as the day before, its call to reach the capital by car or tractor from Sunday afternoon to demonstrate on Monday. Friday, Matignon indicated that the Prime Minister would receive the agricultural unions “in turn” on January 13, a date considered too distant by the second agricultural union, behind the FNSEA.
“The plans are maintained as planned and kept confidential so that these actions can take place as planned,” Véronique Le Floc’h, president of the CR, told AFP. “Several dozen tractors are already scattered, ready to position themselves,” according to her.
“We will be in Paris on Sunday evening. We have a meeting point in 91 (Essonne, Editor's note), another in 27 (Eure, Editor's note) and another which is in the process of being defined,” said Patrick Legras, spokesperson for the CR, who expects the presence of “several hundred farmers from Sunday”.
Guarantees requested
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 expects in particular a commitment on two points “which cost nothing”, on the one hand, “removing the overtransposition of European rules in France” and on the other hand, the implementation of “controls on imports”, said Patrick Legras.
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.
