The anger of the farmers is brewing. Since Thursday evening, several dozen operators have been blocking the A64 motorway, which links Toulouse to Bayonne, near Carbonne. Demonstrations provoked by financial charges and environmental standards considered too heavy as well as by the gradual increase in taxation on non-road diesel (GNR). “This anger is legitimate […] These demands are not new and our work is not new either. We are not starting from a blank sheet,” declared Prisca Thevenot, government spokesperson, guest of La Grande interview Europe 1-CNews on Monday.
“We must” continue to protect farmers
“We can and must continue to protect farmers and continue to move forward on health and environmental issues, both for farmers and for all French people. Let’s make this year 2024, the year of pride. Let’s find a little this ability to be proud, as French people. Proud of what we are, proud of what we have been and proud of what we must continue to be together. A resilient people, a combative people, capable of facing the difficulties that face us, not to feel sorry for them, but to work on them together. And that is what will happen today in Matignon”, declared the minister in charge of Democratic Renewal.
Faced with this anger, the Prime Minister receives this Monday evening in Matignon the FNSEA (National Federation of Agricultural Operators’ Unions) and the Young Farmers. The agriculture bill, which was initially due to be unveiled on Wednesday, was rejected by its minister Marc Fesneau. The idea is now to strengthen the text by adding in particular a “simplification” section regarding the regulations imposed on the profession.
The RN, “the party of lies and laziness”
Five months before the European elections, the executive wants to avoid a new crisis at all costs. Especially since part of the agricultural world has turned to the National Rally. Jordan Bardella, president of the party and head of the European list, urged the government to pass a law of economic patriotism, seeing in the discontent of the agricultural world, “a movement of anger” against the European Union “which wants death of our agriculture. For Prisca Thevenot, the National Rally is “the party of lies and laziness”.
“If we know what the National Rally is, let’s perhaps look at what they do and that, we don’t talk about it enough. They spend their time going in front of the cameras to tell us to defend the interests of the French. Maybe instead of saying it, they should do it,” she thundered.
“They did not vote for the tariff shield and now, they are demanding its maintenance. A few weeks ago, in the hemicycle, they allied themselves with La France insoumise to undermine the competitiveness and attractiveness of our French VSEs and SMEs”, listed Prisca Thevenot before concluding that “campaigning is good, when you are elected, sitting is better”.