French farmers stage ‘snail’ operations and supermarket protests over imports

Farming unions are gathering across France today (September 26) to protest against issues including customs duties and trade agreements.

The FNSEA (la Fédération nationale des syndicats d’exploitants agricoles) and JA (Jeunes Agriculteurs) have called for nationwide action, with rallies underway in communes including Blois, Grenoble, Toulouse, and Versailles. 

Some 20 tractors are parked beneath the statue of Louis XIV in front of the Palace of Versailles to express frustration regarding “the lack of income, the ever-increasing costs and the falling price of wheat”, local farmer, Olivier Gousseau, told FranceInfo.

Traffic flow is not being disrupted by the gathering. 

The unions assured that roadblocks - typically a key tactic where farmers block roads with tractors - are not to play a central role in the movement, however drivers in some areas of France are still being warned that disruption may occur throughout the day. 

Farmers in Blois (Loir-et-Cher) gathered on a roundabout this morning before conducting an opération escargot (snail operation) towards the prefecture, taking the ‘fast lane’ along the expressway to slow down drivers without bringing traffic to a standstill.

Operations are also taking place in supermarkets across Normandy, with action planned in the region’s five departments, the regional president of the FNSEA told radio station, RCF. Actions include identifying imported products that do not comply with European standards.

Farming unions are setting out to protest against trade tariffs imposed by Donald Trump and the draft EU-Mercosur agreement, which will facilitate the importation of produce from South America, including sugar, rice, sugar, honey, meat and soya. Farmers fear this will weaken European agricultural sectors and ask that French products be prioritised in the supply chain. 

The FNSEA is seeking a meeting with new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to discuss their demands.