a funny demonstration announced by the farmers

Farmers compared to drug dealers. It was enough to awaken, within the profession, an anger that has never been extinguished. It's on the air France Inter that an agent from the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) made these comments on Wednesday January 15, 2025.

In response, the Young Farmers and the Departmental Federation of Agricultural Operators' Unions (FDSEA) of Haute-Garonne want to play the humor card. The unions have launched a call for mobilization which is surprising to say the least. See you in Toulouse this Sunday January 19 at 8:30 p.m.

What will happen

“We are going to stage things with deal points, in a somewhat ironic way,” explains Thomas Klunkerco-secretary general at JA 31. Contacted by Toulouse Newshe continues: “there will also be some spills and displays.”

On the other hand, no snail operations or blockages on the weekend return roads are, for the moment, planned.

Around thirty professionals should meet in front of the OFB offices, rue Feretra, in the Empalot district of Toulouse. As a reminder, the OFB plays the role of environmental police and punishes non-compliance with the rules in force regarding fauna, flora or the use of water. Farmers will install the “deal” point there « L’AGRI’MAFIA »as they baptized themselves.

“Serious and inappropriate” remarks

“We want to take it a bit as a joke even if the comments are serious and inappropriate,” underlines Thomas Klunker. Comments broadcast during a report by France Inter last Wednesday.

We hear an OFB agent declare:

“Today we have the feeling that what farmers want is [ne] no longer see us in their exploitation. It's the same as if the dealers asked the police to no longer come to the cities to prevent the deal.”

Reactions, Wednesday

The extract was shared on the networks by several political figures, including Xavier Bertrandpresident of the Hauts-de-France region, who demands that the OFB apologize:

Arnaud Rousseaupresident of the FNSEA, also reacted by asking for “the suspension of controls by the OFB”:

Already an action in the Gers

In the neighboring department, farmers have already responded. During the night of Thursday January 16 to Friday January 17, the headquarters of the Gers OFB, in Auch, was targeted. “Cartel of ecologists”, “Agri not dealers”, could we read on the banners displayed.

“This is a lamentable statement. The shameful provocation to compare farmers to drug dealers cannot remain silent,” said the Young Farmers of Gers. “In such a context of mistrust, it is unacceptable today to have armed controllers in front of us,” repeats the union.

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