Pascal Pavani
RFIWed, 31 Jan 2018 16:25 UTC
© La DepecheFarmers have blocked highways, national roads and bridges across the southwestern region of Occitanie.
Protesting farmers brought the ringroad of France's fourth-largest city to a halt in a protest against a possible cut in European Union subsidies on Wednesday. Meanwhile in Paris, the government unveiled proposals to ensure they get a fair price for their produce from big supermarket chains.
There were traffic jams on the ringroad of Toulouse, the south-western city that is home to the headquarters of European planemaker Airbus, from 6.30am as more than 100 tractors blocked commuters.
Farmers from across the region set fire to piles of tyres, palettes and hay and grilled sausages for picnics on the motorway under the watchful eye of the police.
© La Depeche
In a joint statement, two unions accused the government of "laughing at farmers" because of
plans to reduce the number of "less favoured agricultural areas", which are entitled to EU subsidies.
The government has proposed
a reduction of 100 such zones in the Haute Garonne département around Toulouse.
Protesters claimed the move could deprive them of as much as 7,000 euros a year.
The new classification is to be decided on 15 February and come into effect in the spring.
© La Depeche
Comment: 10 days later, the protests are still going strong. Farmers have created so many roadblocks on highways and national roads that it is difficult to leave some towns and cities, much less the region. Train lines in and out of cities are also blocked.
French farmers have been protesting about the terrible prices they get for their produce for years, but little has changed.
In the meantime, President Macron has
hinted that he is willing to consider a complete overhaul of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, something French governments have until now always resisted touching.
Comment: 10 days later, the protests are still going strong. Farmers have created so many roadblocks on highways and national roads that it is difficult to leave some towns and cities, much less the region. Train lines in and out of cities are also blocked.
French farmers have been protesting about the terrible prices they get for their produce for years, but little has changed.
In the meantime, President Macron has hinted that he is willing to consider a complete overhaul of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, something French governments have until now always resisted touching.