Anger of farmers in Ariège: fiery roundabout, filter dams… “if nothing changes, a regional mobilization is planned for December 12”

This Wednesday, November 27, 2024, Ariège farmers once again expressed their anger. After having camped on the Sabart roundabout in Tarascon-sur-Ariège since 10 a.m., the farmers headed towards the sub-prefecture of Saint-Girons in the early evening.

Well before their arrival, half a dozen bundled up gendarmes were already securing the premises. While the soldiers waited in the cold, the farmers stopped at Montjoie-en-Couserans to decorate their machines with flags in the colors of the unions.

It is 8:45 p.m., the sound of horns, which play popular music tunes, and the roar of engines begin to be heard. “We are here because the government has not kept all its promises. Without forgetting the Mercosur treaty, which drives the point home by opening the door to South American meat which will come and compete with us,” explains a young farmer behind the wheel of his black pickup.

“Couserans agriculture in danger”

In front of his vehicle, demonstrators unfurl a long black plastic tarpaulin. Armed with spray paint, they engrave in orange letters: “Agriculture du Couserans in danger”. “We are going to display the banner on the facade of the sub-prefecture, even if we know that it will be quickly removed,” proclaims a cattle breeder. Under the gaze of the demonstrators, a farmer climbs on the roof of the official building to fix the tarpaulin. A symbolic action in front of the State representation in the department to send a message to high places.

However, in the department, relations between farmers and the prefecture are more than cordial. “Here, in Ariège, it’s a little different compared to the other departments. We are still lucky to have a prefect who listens,” adds Baptiste Pujol, president of the Couserans canton and general secretary of the Young Farmers of the 'Ariege.

“We feed France, but we can’t make ourselves heard”

However, despite this attentive ear, the anger is well anchored. “We feed France, but we can't get people to listen to us. We're tired of being pushed around. Laws and constraints are being added to us… We can no longer work. What we're asking for above all is is administrative simplification and that we can sell our products at their fair value”, insists the young man.

Another subject of tension: Mercosur. “We are putting constraints on us and, at the same time, we are accepting foreign products which are not subject to the same standards as us. We do not want this agreement,” thunders Baptiste Pujol. Indeed, by authorizing the importation of low-cost meat produced under different conditions, the free trade treaty threatens the competitiveness of French producers subject to strict standards.

After around thirty minutes, the convoy breaks camp and heads towards the Prat-Bonrepaux roundabout for a screening action. “We are not going to damage anything, we are not bandits. What we want to do is open the trucks and take photos of the foreign products to show them to the prefect, hoping that he will report this to the highest peak of the State. We don't want to throw anything away as has been done elsewhere, it's a waste while people are dying of hunger”, insists Baptiste Pujol.

A hundred demonstrators

Along the way, local residents are at their windows, in front of their doors or at the edge of the sidewalk, some in pajamas, smartphones in hand, filming the passage of tractors or raising their arms in the air as a sign of sympathy. In total, more than a hundred participants and around thirty machines responded.

Around 10:20 p.m., the procession finally arrived at its destination. Immediately, a dump truck loaded with wood began to unload its load at the roundabout before setting it ablaze. A tractor takes over with a haystack to feed the flames. A thick plume of whitish smoke rises in the night and immediately takes over the area.

Installed on strategic accesses, the other farmers start the filter dam. At this late hour, the few cars only remain stuck for a few seconds. “Last week, it was to raise public awareness; this time, it's to send our message to the State. The situation is worse compared to last winter… It can't go on any longer. We we need a real plan, not just emergency measures,” insists the president of the FDSEA of Ariège, Sébastien Durand.

Some frustration

Gathered in front of “the fire of anger”, a good part of the demonstrators patiently wait for the refrigerated trucks to pass, which are slow to show up at the end of their chassis. “We feel a certain frustration. We understood that certain trucks were diverted to avoid going through there,” regret Sébastien Durand.

It is 11:30 p.m., the first heavy goods vehicle leaves in the night. “I have nothing but ice cream,” the driver warned. After checking, the driver, who had just delivered restaurants in Varilhes, resumed his journey. Faced with this meager loot, Sébastien Durand, Baptiste Pujol and Gilles Morère – farmer in Gajan and president for the canton of Couserans of the National Federation of Farmers' Unions (FNSEA) – climb on top of a tractor to reinvigorate the crowd and revive the atmosphere.

Regional mobilization on December 12

“I know that some people are getting impatient and think that we should go further […] A traffic light on the roundabout today means a 30,000 euro bill tomorrow, but it's nothing if it's to make us heard. We started with the panels, then the tunnel… These are small actions so as not to exhaust ourselves and we must not alienate public opinion either. But if nothing changes, a large-scale regional mobilization is planned for December 12 at Blagnac airport,” says Sébastien Durand to applause.

It's 1 a.m., the street lights have been off for over an hour. The “fire of anger” continues to be fed with skips filled with wood and bales of hay to keep the troops awake, while waiting for 4 a.m., the official end time of the demonstration.