FNSEA calls on its members to “keep calm” before the rally against the megabasins

“We have always been a responsible union”said Arnaud Rousseau, the president of FNSEA, the main agricultural union, on Thursday July 18 on franceinfo, while a new gathering began on Tuesday in Deux-Sèvres against the “basins”.

For its part, the Rural Coordination called for self-defense and a counter-demonstration. “peaceful and determined“, “alongside the police” Friday at the “Water Village” site in Melle, in Deux-Sèvres. Farmers in the area “will do what is necessary to protect themselves and the profession”warned the Rural Coordination union, the majority union in Vienne. But the head of the FNSEA is urging his members “quiet”More than 6,000 protesters are expected from Friday. Fearing unrest, the prefectures of Vienne and Deux-Sèvres have banned these gatherings.

“The law of retaliation is not the law of the Republic”continues Aurélien Rousseau, who assures that his union will be “extremely vigilant”. “The police are professionals who have the legitimacy to act”he adds. “Nobody has any interest in this going off the rails.”he insists.