Farmers in France continue their protests, focusing on the port of Bordeaux and supermarkets, despite a reduction in participation. With 745 farmers and 200 machines involved in demonstrations, tensions remain high, though incidents are reportedly minimal. As protests escalate, farmers express frustration over high retail profit margins and seek government support. Upcoming mobilizations are planned as unions challenge the FNSEA-Young Farmers alliance, emphasizing their commitment to improving farming conditions and opposing free trade agreements.
The highway blockade has been lifted, yet the port of Bordeaux and local supermarkets are in the crosshairs as farmers continue their protests for the third consecutive day. Despite a noticeable decrease in mobilization, the agricultural community remains resolute.
As of late afternoon, 745 farmers and 200 agricultural machines were actively participating in 23 demonstrations across 12 departments, with authorities reporting no significant incidents.
In Charleville-Mézières, around fifty farmers and thirty tractors gathered outside the prefecture. Thierry Lebègue, vice-president of the local branch of the Rural Coordination (CR), confirmed their presence. Law enforcement intervened later that evening, but the situation remained peaceful, according to the prefecture’s statement.
In the evening, additional protestors targeted the commercial port of Bordeaux. After an eight-hour trek from Agen, a convoy of tractors and trailers from CR47 unloaded substantial amounts of tires and waste at two roundabouts, effectively blocking access to the Grand port maritime, which ranks as the seventh largest port in France for freight traffic.
Earlier in the day, farmers from CR removed the blockade they had set up on Tuesday on the A9 highway at Boulou, as reported by the gendarmerie.
Initially declaring their intent to maintain the blockade indefinitely, CR members acknowledged on Wednesday morning that they were seeking ‘support.’
Large retail outlets also fell under the spotlight during Wednesday’s protests. In the South-West region, numerous tractors temporarily obstructed access to shopping centers and major stores.
The convoy departing from Agen made a notable stop at a Leclerc store in Marmande (Lot-et-Garonne), where they dumped tires, cans, and plastic tanks at the entrances.
José Pérez, co-president of the CR union in Lot-et-Garonne, passionately stated, ‘Today, the consumer is being robbed and so are we. We cannot tolerate these excessive profit margins from large retailers any longer!’ He started the day by reaching out to the Prime Minister.
During a conversation captured by various media outlets, including AFP, Michel Barnier expressed his understanding of the farmers’ urgent needs, stating, ‘You don’t need to convince me of the urgency and distress faced by farmers.’
The head of government also assured Arnaud Rousseau, president of FNSEA, that all government commitments would be honored, according to Matignon.
Upcoming Mobilizations
This wave of agricultural protests arises just weeks before the professional elections. CR, the second-largest union in the sector, is aiming to challenge the dominance of the FNSEA-Young Farmers (JA) majority alliance during this crucial time.
Earlier in the week, both CR and FNSEA-JA engaged in symbolic protests, including igniting ‘fires of anger’ at dusk to raise awareness and oppose the signing of a free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur nations.
FNSEA and JA have pledged to continue their protests until mid-December, advocating for improved standards and better income for farmers.
Arnaud Rousseau announced that the next round of protests is scheduled for next week, specifically on ‘Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday,’ to highlight the challenges facing agriculture.
‘Our goal is to once again exert pressure to denounce what is unacceptable today, while maintaining respect for property and individuals,’ he emphasized, seeking to distinguish their actions from those of CR.
CR’s tactics, which included dumping waste in front of prefectures and blocking traffic at the Spanish border, drew a warning from Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard, who deemed such actions ‘unacceptable’ and potentially damaging to public sympathy towards the agricultural sector.
The Peasant Confederation, the third major union, also carried out actions in Rouen and near Rennes to protest against all free trade agreements.
In Ille-et-Vilaine, around ten activists gathered outside a site owned by the oil giant Avril, targeting the head of FNSEA, whom they view as a symbol of a union that prioritizes the interests of agro-industry.