Speed radars in France 'vandalised' with Christmas decorations

Drivers in central France may see festive-looking speed radars in the coming days, decked out with decorations akin to a Christmas tree. 

However, this is not a government-sanctioned operation to bring Christmas cheer to drivers but rather a protest measure used by farmers to prevent the radars from functioning.

‘Seasonally-vandalised’ radars have been spotted in the Loiret, Vienne, and Indre departments, with farmers’ union Jeunes Agriculteurs behind the action.

It is part of wider protests in the sector against the proposed EU-South America ‘Mercosur’ free trade agreement, which European farmers say will damage the industry via an influx of cheap goods and foodstuffs requiring fewer regulatory checks than their European counterparts. 

For the moment, only the Jeunes Agriculteurs union is engaging in the radar vandalism, but other unions in the sector may join in the coming days.

The protests are separate to those currently underway in the south-west of France over the culling of cows infected with lumpy skin disease.

Trees, tinsel, baubles

In some instances, radars are decorated with baubles, tinsel, and lights to prevent them working. In other cases, Christmas trees or even simple tarpaulin with festive decorations are placed directly in front of or over the cameras. 

Regardless of the level of decoration, the aim is clear – prevent the radars from working and “avoid bringing money into the state coffers,” says the union (quoted in Le Figaro). 

At the bottom of some of the immobilised cameras, ‘presents’ with gift tags including ‘Mercosur’ and ‘unfair competition’ have been left.

In a post showcasing some of the vandalised cameras, union members in the Loiret criticised the potential impact of the trade deal.

“For breakfast, cereals containing more than 50 pesticides banned in Europe; for lunch, beef treated with hormones and fed with GMOs; and for dessert, sugar grown in deforested areas.” 

Farmers vandalising cameras risk fines of up to €100,000.

Mercosur vote incoming 

EU member states are set to vote on the trade deal in the coming days although both France and Italy have requested postponing it.

If the vote goes ahead and is passed by member states, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to fly to Brazil this weekend to finalise the deal.