the Peasant Confederation demonstrates in Paris, the police intervene

“Save the peasants, eat a trader,” proclaimed a large yellow banner in the colors of the union, displayed in front of the monument by demonstrators who came to denounce the deregulation of the markets.

This demonstration took place as the Mercosur summit opened in Uruguay, which could on this occasion sign a free trade agreement with the EU denounced by all agricultural organizations in France and in many European countries.

“The farmers are taking back their wheat”

The demonstrators – around a hundred – placed bales of straw in front of the entrance, some leaving the building after having taken signs “Syngenta” (Sino-Swiss manufacturer of pesticides and seeds) and “InVivo” (French trading giant of grains).

“Traders tremble, the peasants take back their wheat”, “remunerative prices rather than traders”, they sang, photographed by participants in the meeting in costume waiting to be able to enter the Palace, with exits temporarily blocked by security. “Cheap food is the peasant woman we bury,” brandished a farmer in a beret on a sign.

From Thursday afternoon, the monument will host the 64th European Grain Trade Exchange, which has brought together agri-food market operators since the 1960s.

Laurence Marandola, spokesperson for the Conférération Paysanne, denounced “speculation on agricultural products”. “Inside, there are guys in suits and ties gorging themselves on the backs of the peasants,” she told the press.

Five arrests

Helmeted police officers, arriving after around twenty minutes, were deployed on both sides of the square. “Forget it, you no longer have a minister!” » the demonstrators called out to them.

The police then blocked the demonstrators for more than an hour, leading to stampedes. Ultimately, the police, supported by the brigade for the repression of violent motorized action (Brav-M), made five arrests, according to the Peasant Confederation.

“Double standards”?

Among the demonstrators present, Marie Ortegat, market gardener in Oise, denounced a “double standard” on the part of the authorities.

Last Thursday, activists from the majority FNSEA union raised a concrete block wall in front of the headquarters of the Inrae research institute, under the gaze of the police.