Farmers protest in southwestern France: “We are starving!” Manure piles up outside government buildings

Farmers in southwestern France have escalated their protests, occupying new intersections and displaying posters with alarming messages such as “Those who feed you are dying of hunger!”

In response to calls for action from the FNSEA (French National Federation of Farmers' Unions) and Jeunes Agriculteurs (Young Farmers) trade unions, residents in communities near Toulouse have reoccupied crossroads with hay bales, Caliber.Az reports referring to French media.

Their aim is to maintain pressure on the government until November 15, when new decisions are expected to be announced, as reported by the regional newspaper La Dépêche du Midi.

Many farmers feel that their issues have been overlooked following the dissolution of the French parliament, snap elections, and cabinet changes over the summer.

“We now plan to intensify our protests and may take tougher action depending on the responses we receive by November 15,” said a cereal farmer who is protesting alongside her husband.

Farmers' unions have repeatedly criticized what they perceive as a “lack of concrete and sustainable measures” to address the challenges faced by those in the profession amid ongoing economic, climatic, social, and health crises.

FNSEA union representative Axel Tran Van stated this week, “We warned the government about the plight we are in and expected to work and receive some benefits. Now we realize they are indifferent to us; we don’t even hear about agriculture anymore...

We are patient people, but our patience is not unlimited. I believe we are in for a turbulent winter. Promises have been unfulfilled, and now we need action.”

Some farmers have previously threatened to block roads, including key border crossings, which could disrupt trade across the European bloc.

The latest protests, particularly in the communes of Sey and Merville, as well as Le Bourgault and Grenade, began after approximately 60 farmers unloaded sheep's wool, bales of hay, piles of straw, and manure in front of government buildings in the town of Auch (Gers department).

The November 15 deadline is significant because it marks the usual completion date for farmers' crop sowing. After that date, farmers in southwestern France have indicated they will be free to take to the streets to continue their protests.

By Tamilla Hasanova