Farmers Protest In France: Unions Vow 'Paris Siege', Here Why
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is scheduled to visit a cattle farm on Sunday amid mounting pressure from agricultural unions planning to besiege Paris.?
Leaders of two major farming unions announced that members from regions around Paris would initiate an indefinite siege of the capital, blocking major roads leading to Paris. Farmers are protesting against perceived challenges in purchase prices for produce, complex environmental regulations, and the phasing-out of a tax break on diesel for farm equipment.?
French Farmer Unions Seek Further Action
Despite recent concessions by Attal, the FNSEA farmers' union and the Jeunes Agriculteurs have stated that further actions are needed to address farmers' concerns.
Attal's visit to a cattle farm in the western region of Indre-et-Loire comes two days after he announced a number of concessions following blockades by?farmers?of major routes into Paris and in the south of the country.
French Prime Minister Reacts?
"You wanted to send a message, and I've received it loud and clear," said Attal, who is facing his first major crisis as prime minister.
Attal said the government would "put an end" to the rising cost of diesel fuel used for farming machinery, a consequence of tax breaks on the fuel having been phased out.
There would also be an emergency fund to help cattle?farmers?battle illnesses among their livestock.
Early on Saturday, some roadblocks were being lifted and traffic began running normally on motorways.
With AFP Inputs
