New farmer protests this week - where and what to expect

Farmers are set to protest across France this week, with a major demonstration planned in Toulouse on Tuesday, January 27, and continuing action elsewhere, as pressure mounts on the government over agricultural policy, disease control and trade agreements.

In Toulouse, the protest is being called by farmer’s union Coordination rurale, which is seeking to relaunch momentum after several weeks of mobilisation by different farming unions. 

Organisers say the action is intended to show that discontent in the sector remains unresolved, despite recent talks with the authorities.

The Toulouse demonstration is due to start at 10:00 on January 27 with farmers gathering on the allées Jean-Jaurès before marching towards the prefecture, near place Emile-Blouin in the Saint-Etienne district. 

“We plan to fill up the allées Jean-Jaurès with tractors”, one of the organisers told France Bleu. 

The Coordination rurale is calling for farmers from around the Occitanie region to participate.

The farmers’ demands include an end to systematic mass culling of cattle following the detection of lumpy skin disease, opposition to the proposed EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, and a review of certain elements of the Common Agricultural Policy. 

While Toulouse is expected to be the main focal point on Tuesday, tensions remain high elsewhere.

In Corsica last week, farmers from the FDSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs staged a forceful protest, dumping manure outside the offices of the Direction départementale des territoires et de la mer in Bastia, while blocking traffic with their tractors. 

The action ended with the authorities agreeing to a meeting, including talks scheduled in Paris on January 30.