Emmanuel Macron told 'action not words' as farmers issue stern warning over EU rules

French farmers block roads with hundreds of tractors in Agen to protest against government

The ongoing protests by French farmers against low wages and perceived regulatory burdens took a new twist when a car crashed into a demonstration barricade.

The incident in Pamiers, southwestern France, involved roads blocked with straw bales and tractors, leading to injuries for some protestors. Authorities are investigating to determine the nature of the collision.

The farmers, who are part of the FNSEA union of agricultural workers, have been voicing their concerns for months, demanding better pay and protesting against what they consider excessive regulations and mounting costs.

The incident in Pamiers follows a series of demonstrations across the country.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau engaged in discussions with union leaders Arnaud Rousseau and Arnaud Gaillot following the incident. Rousseau stressed the need for concrete actions, saying: “We told the prime minister that we would not be content with words; farmers are waiting for specific action.”

French farmers block roads with hundreds of tractors in Agen to protest against government

“We have asked the prime minister to make statements during the week that will significantly change the situation.”

Rousseau highlighted the importance of Europe to farmers but also called for a reevaluation of its administrative approach.

Charles-Henri Gallois, Generation Frexit leader, expressed support for the farmers’ protests, attributing their struggles to EU-imposed standards and free trade deals with countries that do not adhere to similar regulations.

He told Express.co.uk: “The farmers’ protests are totally legitimate. They suffer from both important standards imposed by the EU and in the meantime the EU imposes free trade deals across the world with countries that do not respect the same standards.

“It’s as if the European commission wanted to kill agriculture in Europe and imports everything.

“It’s crazy as the EU programme plans to lower by 12 to 20 percent food production in Europe, whereas the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) forecast that world food production should increase by 60 percent by 2050 to feed the world.

“Agriculture sovereignty is at the basis of sovereignty. That’s why I stand with the farmers.”

The farmers’ grievances extend to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU’s largest expenditure item. Eric Vernet, Secretary General of the Farm Europe think tank, highlighted the CAP’s shortcomings, including a lack of consideration for inflation, resulting in a significant shortfall for European farmers.

The “farm to fork” strategy, aiming to increase organic farming to 25 percent by 2030, is particularly contested by farmers.

Vincent Chatellier, an economics research engineer, pointed out the disconnection between the strategy and the reality of CAP aid, causing frustration among farmers.

Various political figures, including Eric Zemmour of the Reconquete party, EU election candidate Marion Marechal, and French MP Sebastien Jumel, have joined the chorus supporting the farmers’ cause.

Zemmour emphasised the need to free farmers from fiscal and regulatory burdens, while Marechal pledged support for farmers at the European Parliament.

Jumel stressed the impact of technocratic decisions on farmers who provide essential food resources.

As tensions escalate, French farmers are adamant that only concrete actions from the government will bring an end to their protests.

Echoing the sentiment, he said: “As long as we don’t have concrete decisions… there will be no end to the action on the ground.”