Current:Home > ContactFrench farmers vow to continue protesting despite the government’s offer of concessions -EquityWise
French farmers vow to continue protesting despite the government’s offer of concessions
View
Date:2025-04-22 12:19:35
PARIS (AP) — French farmers vowed Saturday to continue protesting, maintaining traffic barricades on some of the country’s major roads a day after the government announced a series of measures that they do not fully address their demands.
The farmers’ movement, seeking better remuneration for their produce, less red tape and protection against cheap imports has spread in recent days across the country, with protesters using their tractors to shut down long stretches of road and slow traffic. They’ve also dumped stinky agricultural waste at the gates of government offices.
While some of the barricades were gradually being lifted on Saturday, highway operator Vinci Autoroutes said the A7, a major highway heading through southern France and into Spain, was still closed. Some other roads were also partially closed, mostly in southern France.
Vinci Autoroutes noted that the blockades on two highways leading to Paris have been removed. The highway from Lyon, in eastern France, to Bordeaux, in the southwest, also been reopened on Saturday, the company said in a statement.
Some angry protesters were planning to give a new boost to the mobilization next week, threatening to block traffic around Paris for several days, starting from Sunday evening.
President Emmanuel Macron’s new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, announced a series of measures Friday during a visit to a cattle farm in southern France. They include “drastically simplifying” certain technical procedures and the progressive end to diesel fuel taxes for farm vehicles, he said.
Attal also confirmed that France would remain opposed to the European Union signing a free-trade deal with the Mercosur trade group, as French farmers denounce what they see as unfair competition from Latin American countries. The agreement has been under under negotiation for years.
In response to Attal’s announcement, France’s two major farmers unions quickly announced their decision to continue the protests, saying the government’s plan doesn’t go far enough.
The protests in France are also symptomatic of discontent in agricultural heartlands across the European Union. The influential and heavily subsidized sector is becoming a hot-button issue ahead of European Parliament elections in June, with populist and far-right parties hoping to benefit from rural disgruntlement against free trade agreements, burdensome costs worsened by Russia’s war in Ukraine and other complaints.
In recent weeks, farmers have staged protests in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
- 'Ketamine Queen,' doctors, director: A look at the 5 charged in Matthew Perry's death
- JoJo Siwa Shares She's Dating New Girlfriend Dakayla Wilson
- Newlyweds and bride’s mother killed in crash after semitruck overturns in Colorado
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, But Daddy I Love Crosswords
- Did Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin Break Up? Here’s the Truth About Their Engagement
- Watch mom freeze in shock when airman son surprises her after two years apart
- $1 Frostys: Wendy's celebrates end of summer with sweet deal
- Taylor Swift Changes Name of Song to Seemingly Diss Kanye West
Ranking
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Alabama election officials make voter registration inactive for thousands of potential noncitizens
- Here's What Jennifer Lopez Is Up to on Ben Affleck's Birthday
- From 'The Bikeriders' to 'Furiosa,' 15 movies you need to stream right now
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- Thousands of Disaster Survivors Urge the Department of Justice to Investigate Fossil Fuel Companies for Climate Crimes
- Rail bridge collapses on US-Canada border
- Lawyer and family of U.S. Air Force airman killed by Florida deputy demand that he face charges
Recommendation
Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris
Michael Brown’s death transformed a nation and sparked a decade of American reckoning on race
A woman who left a newborn in a box on the side of the road won’t be charged
Everything at Old Navy Is 40% off! Build Your Fall Fit with $20 Jeans, $7 Tops, $17 Dresses & More
NCAA President Charlie Baker would be 'shocked' if women's tournament revenue units isn't passed
Beyond ‘childless cat ladies,’ JD Vance has long been on a quest to encourage more births
US arrests reputed Peruvian gang leader wanted for 23 killings in his home country
How Lubbock artists pushed back after the city ended funding for its popular art walk