'We live in continual stress,' French farmers escalate protests against government over increasing costs

AP Photo/Matthieu Mirville

• By Sheila Gunn Reid

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French farmers, grappling with escalating costs and policy changes, have intensified their protests across the country.

In a demonstration in Agen, France, on Tuesday, farmers convened in front of the Lot-et-Garonne prefecture, expressing their frustrations through symbolic actions. As reported by the French press, the protesters dumped agricultural waste, including tires, at the building's entrance.

The farming community faces a multitude of challenges, including increased operational costs, adverse weather conditions, and the devaluation of their products. A significant recent blow has been the removal of the tax exemption for non-road diesel (GNR) since January 1, 2024. This policy change adds financial strain to farmers already struggling to maintain profitability.

Speaking to local media, one organic farmer, Sébastien Desgris, highlighted the dilemma faced in organic farming, where mechanical interventions or labor-intensive practices are necessary to maintain crop quality.

The farmer lamented the ill-timed introduction of the GNR tax amidst rising costs and declining sales prices. He described the situation as a "scissors effect," a looming threat that the agricultural sector had feared.

"What do we do, expand or stop? We suffer, but we will not suffer for eternity," he said.

"We earn twice the minimum wage but by working 70 hours a week," said cattle farmer Martial Leau. “The operation runs 365 days a week. We cannot continue to live like this.”

"We live in constant stress," said his wife and fellow farmer Valérie Leau, who is also the de facto mayor of Orches.

The farmers' demonstrations were marked by dramatic gestures, including the dumping of slurry, red paint, and even tripe and blood from a slaughterhouse. They also displayed banners with poignant messages like “France, your hunger is coming” and “we will not die in silence,” emphasizing their desperation and determination to be heard.

Protests have spread across various regions in France, including the Basque Country, Béarn, Landes, Dordogne, and Lot-et-Garonne. The actions follow a series of demonstrations initiated on January 22, signaling a nationwide movement among farmers. They seek to draw the government's attention to their plight, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine's market disruptions and climate events affecting production.

Arnaud Rousseau, president of the National Federation of Farmers' Unions (FNSEA), voiced the farmers' resolve on RMC, indicating that the protests could continue indefinitely until satisfactory responses are provided by the authorities. This ongoing mobilization underscores the critical challenges faced by the agricultural sector in France and the urgent need for supportive government interventions.