The French government has asked farmers to stop their Christmas protests, but the final decision depends on the prime minister's response to their demands.
Farmers' protests in Brussels PHOTO: X
On Friday, the French government called on farmers to observe a Christmas truce, warning against further blockades during the holidays, writes Mediafax.
The main farming union said the decision depended on the French prime minister's response to their demands.
For more than a week, as part of the protests, farmers have been blocking roads, throwing manure and organizing multiple demonstrations in France.
They are protesting the government's handling of bovine nodular dermatitis and a trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur.
On Friday morning, farmers gathered with tractors in front of President Emmanuel Macron's residence in Le Touquet, northern France, placing a coffin with the inscriptions “RIP Agri” and “NOT Mercosur”.
In Avignon, southern France, farmers threw potatoes at public buildings.
Protesters say the government's policy of culling entire herds when nodular dermatosis is detected is excessive and cruel.
Through these actions, they also oppose the European Union-Mercosur agreement, which would allow massive imports of products that do not comply with French standards.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu had meetings with the main agricultural unions.
Arnaud Rousseau, president of FNSEA, said that Lecornu had committed to send a letter with answers to the farmers' problems.
“This letter will be decisive,” said Sebastien Lecornu, adding that the union will then make a decision on suspending the protests.
Coordination Rurale and Confédération Paysanne, leaders of the blockades, said local farmers would decide whether to continue the protests.
“We are very disappointed”said Stephane Galais, spokesman for the Confédération Paysanne, after the meeting with Lecornu.
“The decision will be made at the local level, but I will tell you this: we cannot remove the blockages.“, he also said.
Stephane Galais also stated that no progress has been made on abandoning the total slaughter of herds.
Young Farmers union president Pierrick Horel said his members would respect the Christmas truce. Maud Bregeon, government spokeswoman, told RTL that the authorities will no longer tolerate new blockades and will “all that is necessary” to prevent them.
