On the night of Monday 18 to Tuesday 19 November, more than twenty Gard farmers, supported by the Young Farmers unions and the FDSEA, carried out a striking action in Gard Rhodanien. This mobilization targeted strategic points, such as certain roundabouts and speed cameras, which were covered with tarpaulins. The objective was clear: say no to signing the free trade treaty with Mercosur, an agreement that farmers consider unfair and destructive for their sector.
The demonstrators denounce the unfair competition that this agreement could lead to, particularly with countries like Brazil, where production standards are much less restrictive than those imposed on European farmers. “We do not want to be the adjustment variable of the European Union nor serve as a bargaining chip in its trade negotiations,” explained the demonstrators.
On the radars, the farmers displayed the following slogan: “You don’t cash in until we cash in.”
As a further sign of protest, the entrances to the Aldi and Lidl stores in Bagnols-sur-Cèze were covered. These brands are accused of offering Côtes-du-Rhône at €1.99 per bottle, a price that winegrowers consider unsustainable for their economic survival. “Tic Tac 1€99 Côtes-du-Rhône” could be read in front of these businesses. The demonstrators also left messages on the roundabouts: “Kids we dream of it, then we die” and “No peasant, no flour, no bread, no croissant”.
“With these prices, it is impossible to cover our production costs,” said a farmer present on site.
This action is part of a broader mobilization of farmers in Gard Rhodanien, who are demanding increased support to deal with the multiple crises affecting the agricultural sector: falling prices, foreign competition, and constantly increasing production costs. Unions have warned that further action could follow if their demands are not taken into account by public authorities and the European Union.
Belgium
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