In response to the ongoing protests by French farmers, the government has made further concessions aimed at addressing their concerns. Farming unions have agreed to temporarily suspend their blockades of the country's highways after Premier Gabriel Attal pledged additional measures. The government has outlined a series of steps, including increased fiscal support, a crackdown on unfair competition, and stricter checks on product origin. Attal also reaffirmed the government's opposition to a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc, which has been a major point of contention for farmers.
Arnaud Rousseau, the head of the FNSEA farmers' union, expressed satisfaction with the government's response, stating that the prime minister was attentively listening to their demands. However, he warned that the action is not ending but transforming, and if the desired results are not achieved, the protest could resume. The farmers are protesting against rising costs, stringent regulations, and the influx of cheap imports. Their main demands include increased financial aid and reduced bureaucracy.
To address these concerns, the government has committed to providing €150 million ($162 million) in fiscal and social support this year. Additionally, the enforcement of regulations aimed at ensuring fair prices for farmers' produce will be reinforced. The government also intends to impose fines of up to 10% of revenue on major food producers and retailers that falsely label products, such as chickens, as originating from France. Approximately 10,000 inspections are planned to ensure compliance.
Premier Attal emphasized that while these measures may come at a cost, they are primarily investments. Furthermore, France has urged the European Union to take further action. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire proposed the establishment of an EU anti-fraud network to monitor central purchasing hubs that attempt to circumvent national pricing laws. Attal also called for negotiations to limit grain shipments from Ukraine and suggested that Europe should cease allowing imports of food made with banned insecticides. Meanwhile, France will temporarily halt its plan to reduce pesticide use.
Rousseau criticized the "technocratic Europe," arguing that the EU's agricultural approach is unsustainable. He called for decisive actions to protect the European internal market and demanded concrete results before the European Parliament elections in June. In Brussels, over 1,300 tractors congested the streets near EU institutions as farmers staged a protest targeting the leaders attending a summit. This demonstration adds to a wave of widespread protests across Europe, including in Germany, highlighting the mounting dissatisfaction in the agricultural sector.