French farmers plan to siege Paris

Farmers' pressure on French territory is increasing, as relative calm prevailed over the weekend, but tensions are expected with the National Federation of Farmer Unions in France and the Young Farmers' Unions calling for a closure as of two o'clock in the afternoon local time. , arriving at the capital.

In total, there are eight highways whose closure the country's main unions have called for with the support of members from more than a dozen departments located in the vicinity of Paris.

Despite the measures announced by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Friday, the majority of farmers ruled out stopping the movement, considering it insufficient in the face of complaints such as low wages, the impact of inflation, and European environmental standards, which they consider too stringent.

A day before that, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the mobilization of 15,000 police and gendarmes for this day, to prevent tractors from entering major cities.

According to the official, law enforcement forces will be stationed at trouble spots in the face of what he described as a difficult day for vehicular traffic in the Paris region.

Since yesterday, they have been deployed, wearing their military uniforms and riot shields, in the vicinity of the Rungis International Market, which is located ten kilometers from this capital, and is the largest in Europe for agricultural products and a nerve center for food supply in Paris and many other French territories. .

Some protesters stated their intention to close that facility, to which Darmanin expressed the government's interest in keeping it in operation.

The government pledged to take further measures for the benefit of the countryside, after providing 50 million euros for the biological sector (vital products) on Friday, suspending the increase in the price of tractor fuel, simplifying procedures and assistance, and reiterating that France will not support the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.

jf/wmr