the FNSEA launches a call for national mobilization “from Monday”

The years go by and look the same. One year after the strong mobilizations of farmers, the FNSEA, the majority union of the profession, announces new actions this Monday, November 18.

“We will be in all departments from Monday for a few days, to make the voice of France heard during the G20 in Brazil”detailed Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA, at the microphone of France Inter., at a time when the country's agricultural sectors fear a potential signing of the free trade agreement by the European Union with Mercosur. Farmers see this treaty as a symbol of unfair competition against French production.

“We are not going to block France”

Since the start of the school year, the countryside has seen the return of often spontaneous actions by farmers, suggesting a large-scale mobilization. “We are not going to block France,” however clarified Arnaud Rousseau before calling on everyone to “take responsibility.” “What we want is to challenge the public authorities, detailed Le cerealier, at the head of the union since spring 2023. We do not want any harm to property or people.”

At the start of the year, farmers staged a show of force by blocking dozens of highways and the Paris ring road for several days. The majority unions had also called for a “seat” from the capital, without time limit. To defuse the situation, Gabriel Attal then announced a battery of measures intended to calm agricultural anger. The prime minister at the time then recalled France's opposition to Mercosur. “If it is forbidden to our farmers, it cannot enter France”had hammered Gabriel Attal.