French farmer protests: where roadblocks and disruption are restarting
A major demonstration is planned for Paris as well as a ‘siege’ of Toulouse
Clashes between protesting farmers and police are expected as measures to ban tractor convoys are enacted. Photo for illustrative purposes only
Franck Legros / Shutterstock
French farmers are renewing their protest action, with fresh demonstrations taking place in several regions.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu continues to meet with union leaders today (January 6), however there are no signs that farmers are set to stop their action.
All four leading agricultural unions are calling on members to demonstrate, either at local or national level.
A major demonstration is set to be held in Paris on Thursday (January 8), although many prefectures are set to ban or heavily restrict tractor convoys from passing through their territories, including across the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
However, farmers from departments such as Dordogne and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques have already left to travel to Paris, with the journey taking several days.
While convoy bans may limit the number of farmers who reach the capital, it could lead to clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
Farmers are protesting over the treatment of cowherds with lumpy skin disease, and the upcoming EU Mercosur free trade vote on January 9.
Mr Lecornu yesterday offered concessions to farmers in the form of stricter checks on some South American food imports, although this has not quelled the anger.
Trains disrupted, motorways blockaded, Toulouse to be ‘sieged’
While unions meet with the government at a national level, local branches are carrying out protests and disruption through several measures.
Blockades have been set up on motorways - however unlike in December this form of demonstration is so far mainly concentrated in the east.
The A7 remains blocked in several areas, and the A51 is also impacted. A blockade on the A43 was cleared by law enforcement.
Blockades on the A7 south of Lyon are severely disrupting vehicles trying to enter the city, adding an extra 50 minutes onto travel times.
If you are travelling in the coming days, it is recommended to check your route in advance to avoid disruption.
Bridges in Normandy, including the Pont d’Angleterre in Calvados are blocked, as well as several roads leading in and out of Caen.
Farmers say they are determined to remain in place despite the cold and snowy conditions.
In Haute-Sâone farmers demonstrated at roundabouts by lighting fires.
In Occitanie, regional TER trains between Auch and L'Isle-Jourdain will be disrupted until at least Thursday due to farmers placing obstacles on the tracks.
Local branches are calling for a ‘complete blockade’ of roads in and out of Toulouse as a convoy descends onto the city Wednesday morning.
The call has been made by all four leading farmer unions and is expected to cause severe disruption.
However, Haute-Garonne is one of the prefectures that has temporarily banned tractor convoys, so law enforcement may be in place to prevent any blockades.
Elsewhere in the region, several demonstrations at local prefectures or public offices in Haute-Garonne, Ariège, and Tarn are expected.
