Farmers’ protest shows success: France cancels tax increase on agricultural diesel

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In response to the farmers’ protests in France, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has announced that he will abandon a planned tax increase on agricultural diesel. On Friday, Attal also promised “ten immediate simplification measures” to cut red tape during a visit to a farm in Montastruc-de-Salies in southwestern France. The French government actually wanted to gradually increase taxes on agricultural diesel by 2030.

The largest farmers’ association presented a list of 140 demands before Prime Minister Attal and Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau visited Montastruc-de-Salies. What was especially important for farmers was the reduction in the price of agricultural diesel, less bureaucracy and fewer environmental regulations.

Shortly before the expected government announcements, angry farmers had once again intensified their protests. On Friday afternoon they blocked several toll booths in the Paris area with tractors. In Narbonne, southern France, a fire broke out in an insurance building on the sidelines of a demonstration.

400 kilometers of highway blocked

In the south of the country, several hundred tractors also blocked two highways that are among the country’s most important axes. In total, around 400 kilometers of highway were closed, for example in the area around Montpellier and between Narbonne and Perpignan.

During the visit to Montastruc-de-Salies, Attal also reiterated that Paris continues to reject the Mercosur Free Trade Agreement between South America and the EU. “I will say it again very clearly and distinctly,” the Prime Minister said. President Emmanuel Macron has always rejected the deal and “will continue to do so.”

The EU treaty with the South American Mercosur states of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay has been fully negotiated since 2019, but has not yet been ratified. The main dispute concerns environmental regulations for South American farmers. France, Austria and other countries are pushing for strict regulations to protect their own farmers. Germany has committed to rapid ratification.

Even in South America, not all countries support the agreement with the EU anymore. Recently, Argentine President Javier Milei criticized the Mercosur agreement in his election campaign and threatened to withdraw his country. (AFP)

Source: Blick