Farmers are preparing for a new week of action, particularly against all “impediments” to agricultural production. They are notably planning a rally on Tuesday at the European Parliament.
17:21 – Farmers parade in Christmas colors
END OF LIVE – Farmer mobilizations do not always end with “fires of anger”, or manure spread in front of a prefecture. In La Barre-en-Ouche (Mesnil-en-Ouche), between Evreux and Lisieux, Young Farmers demonstrators paraded with their tractors, decorated in the colors of the end-of-year celebrations, reports Paris Normandie. Enough to bring a good-natured touch to the gathering.
16:36 – What are the farmers' demands?
Farmers appear disappointed with the political fallout despite the promises made by the Attal government, since replaced by the Barnier government, after the first act of the agricultural crisis. They also defend the same line with similar demands concerning the simplification of measures targeting agricultural operations, the dignity of farmers and their income. Expectations that push unions to oppose the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (South American economic alliance). France is opposed to the agreement as it stands, as successively recalled by the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron and the President of Europe Jean-Noël Barrot.
15:38 – “Farmers are right to mobilize”, believes Mathilde Panot (LFI)
“Farmers are right to mobilize against this free trade treaty,” declared Mathilde Panot, deputy for the 10th constituency of Val-de-Marne and president of the La France insoumise group at the National Assembly, on the plateau of BFMTV Sunday. And added: “I want to solemnly say here that Emmanuel Macron is a hypocrite, because in the seven years he has been in power, he could have stopped the negotiations. […] Without France, Mercosur will not happen.”
2:31 p.m. – Intensification of mobilizations by Rural Coordination next week
In addition to the gatherings planned by the FNSEA and Young Farmers, the Rural Coordination has indicated that it plans to “amplify” next week the mobilization beyond the South-West, where its actions have been concentrated in recent days, reports Sud Ouest. The union is planning a rally in front of the European Parliament on Tuesday, but also a ditch cleaning operation in the Hautes-Alpes and the continuation of the blocking of distributors' purchasing centers.
13:38 – Some farmers play the education card
On Saturday, the Young Farmers union prioritized awareness-raising over “punching” actions. In the Super U of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne in Entre-Deux-Mers, farmers interacted with consumers over coffee, cold meats and French cheeses, reports France Bleu Gironde. It was also possible to make donations. “We, without the population, we are nothing. Without consumers, we are nothing!”, underlined Lucas Berthomieu of the Young Farmers. “We cannot be in a bidding war, in a race for shallots. We are also here to explain our actions and raise awareness among people to buy French, especially as the end-of-year holidays approach,” explained Thomas. , winegrower and breeder in Courpiac.
12:28 – Farmers supported by online prize pools
It’s a lifesaver like no other. Farmers are turning to online pots to finance their work, or even save their farm, reports Franceinfo. In 2024, 7,500 pots were opened in 2024 for farmers, according to the Generosity Observatory 2024, created by Leetchi and the Odoxa institute. With a total amount of 5 million euros! A salutary support, while 16% of agricultural households live below the monetary poverty line.
11:24 – A rally planned in front of the European Parliament
On Tuesday, the FNSEA and the Young Farmers are planning a rally in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This mobilization aims to oppose the free trade treaty between the EU and Mercosur, and “for the defense of peasant income” as well as the agro-ecological transition, reports Le Figaro.
10:32 – Mobilizations to be expected in “almost all departments”
“Almost all departments plan to take action in the coming days,” declared the Young Farmers union. The demonstrators will instead continue to target prefectures, water agencies and even offices of the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).
09:30 – New week of mobilization to come
The president of the FNSEA Arnaud Rousseau announced new actions “Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday”. The agreement between the EU and Mercosur will no longer be the only target of mobilizations. According to the FNSEA, allied with the Young Farmers, it is a question of “denouncing the obstacles to agriculture and everything which today constrains our activity”.
France
