Fight for better working and living conditions: farmers in France continue the blockade around Paris

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Blockades of highways and, in some cases, major supermarkets also continued in other parts of France.

In Toulouse, protesting farmers blocked access to the airport, the prefecture announced. Car tires and bales of straw were set on fire. Police are trying to limit disruptions caused by the protests with a large contingent, armored vehicles and helicopters. So far, the farmers’ actions have been largely peaceful. According to a survey, almost 90 percent of the population supports the protesting farmers.

Law enforcement officers are mainly focusing on a large tractor convoy that wants to reach the Rungis wholesale market near Paris from Agen in southern France within a few days and then block it. With armored vehicles and hundreds of riot police, the police tried several times to stop the convoy on Tuesday, the media reported, citing the police. But the farmers broke through the barriers and continued their way to the capital via side roads. Meanwhile, the world’s largest wholesale market, Rungis, a huge transshipment point for agricultural products, was secured with armored vehicles and police checks at the entrance.

The new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal had already made extensive aid promises on Friday, but they were not enough for the farmers. In his government statement on Tuesday, he announced further support for the agricultural sector. An emergency fund will be set up for the wine growing industry, which is suffering from overproduction and falling consumption, and most veterinary costs for farmers currently affected by the EHD livestock disease should be covered. Further support funds must be transferred to farmers’ accounts more quickly.

(SDA)

Source:Blick