Paris, January 13 (IANS). French farmers protested in Paris on Tuesday with about 350 tractors. It was the second time in a week that farmers demonstrated their anger against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement and low incomes.
The farmers entered Paris from the Port Dauphiné around 6 a.m. (local time) and marched through the Avenue Foch to the Arc de Triomphe under police patrol. He then drove down the Champs-Élysées and crossed the Seine River to reach the National Assembly.
The demonstration was led by FNSEA farmers union and Young Farmers. Farmers had written slogans on their tractors like “No country without farmers” and “No farmers, no food”. He called for action to ensure France’s food security.
The demonstration was organized ahead of Saturday’s signing in Paraguay of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. This agreement will facilitate the creation of a free trade area between the EU and Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.
European farmers have criticized the deal, saying it would hurt domestic markets with cheap imports. Last week, most EU member states approved the deal, although France, Hungary, Austria, Poland and Ireland opposed it.
French government spokeswoman Maude Brezon said on Tuesday that the government would soon make new announcements to help farmers. He said “dialogue and discussions are ongoing,” especially on questions of “income, water, climate change adaptation and agricultural transfer.”
On January 10, French Agriculture Minister Anne Genvard announced that the government was raising 300 million euros to support farmers. Genwaard said the steps were taken in response to the health, economic and climate crises and include concrete measures to protect supply chains and prepare for the future.
Janwaard said the hydraulic fund for water conservation has been increased from 20 million to 60 million euros, policies for wolf population control have been relaxed, and an additional 40 million euros in aid will be given to major crops. An amount of 130 million euros has been earmarked for the wine industry.
Also on January 8, French farmers entered the central part of Paris with about 100 tractors and protested against the European Union’s Mercosur free trade agreement. The protesters crossed the police blockade and reached major sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.
According to the French Interior Ministry, about 20 tractors reached the city center, while most tractors were stopped at the city limits. The A13 motorway was closed in the direction of Paris at 5.53am. The protest was organized by the Rural Coordination Union to put pressure on the French government, as farmers consider the trade deal harmful to their livelihoods.
–IANS
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