French Farmers Clear Roads as PM Unveils Support Plan

French farmers have begun removing roadblocks and lifting their protests following the French government’s announcement of over 400 million euros ($436 million) in measures to address their grievances. The protests were related to issues such as low earnings, heavy regulation, and unfair competition from abroad.

Protesters on major highways around Paris dismantled their tents, cleared roadblocks, and even set fire to straw bales that had been used as barricades. Tractor convoys left the protest sites in an orderly manner, accompanied by a significant police presence to ensure security.

Arnaud Rousseau, the president of the largest farmers union, FNSEA, expressed a willingness to work on the government’s proposals and take concrete steps in the coming weeks. Farmers will closely monitor whether the government follows through on its promises by June and have indicated their readiness to protest again, particularly as France prepares for the Paris Olympics in the summer.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal unveiled the new measures, which included financial aid, tax breaks, and a commitment not to ban pesticides in France that are permitted in other European countries, a source of concern for French farmers who view it as leading to unfair competition. The measures also encompassed 150 million euros in aid to livestock farmers, reduced taxes on farm transfers to younger generations, and 80 million euros in emergency assistance to struggling wine producers.

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that the government’s commitments to farmers represented a response to their concerns. He also mentioned that he had secured significant concessions from the EU, characterizing it as a fundamental reevaluation of European agricultural policy.