Current:Home > StocksFrench farmers vow to continue protesting despite the government’s offer of concessions -WealthRoots Academy
French farmers vow to continue protesting despite the government’s offer of concessions
View
Date:2025-04-13 19:49:27
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! (9)
Related
- Small twin
- Should you give your dog gluten-free food? How to tell if pup has an intolerance.
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Assorted Danish
- Alabama Town Plans to Drop Criminal Charges Over Unpaid Garbage Bills
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- How Tucson police handled a death like George Floyd’s when leaders thought it would never happen
- Texas edges Ohio State at top of in college football's NCAA Re-Rank 1-134 as Alabama tumbles
- Early Amazon Prime Day 2024 Fall Fashion Deals: $5.60 Leggings, $7.40 Fleece & More
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Man injured after explosion at Southern California home; blast cause unknown
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- NHTSA investigating some Enel X Way JuiceBox residential electric vehicle chargers
- How would Davante Adams fit with the Jets? Dynamic duo possible with Garrett Wilson
- Florida braces for Hurricane Milton as communities recover from Helene and 2022’s Ian
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Opinion: Messi doesn't deserve MVP of MLS? Why arguments against him are weak
- NHTSA investigating some Enel X Way JuiceBox residential electric vehicle chargers
- Why Billie Eilish Will Never Discuss Her Sexuality Again
Recommendation
Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
Red and green swirls of northern lights captured dancing in Minnesota sky: Video
Daniel Craig opens up about his 'beautiful,' explicit gay romance 'Queer'
Texas edges Ohio State at top of in college football's NCAA Re-Rank 1-134 as Alabama tumbles
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
Should you give your dog gluten-free food? How to tell if pup has an intolerance.
What kind of bird is Woodstock? Some history on Snoopy's best friend from 'Peanuts'
These ages will get the biggest Social Security 2025 COLA payments next year