[France] Two key farmers unions suspend protests after new gov’t measures

On February 1, France's two major farmers unions announced their decision to suspend protests and lift road blockades across the country, KRWG reports.

The development followed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's unveiling of a new set of measures which were seen as "tangible progress."

Arnaud Gaillot - President of the Young Farmers union - spoke alongside the head of France's biggest farmers union FNSEA on February 1, saying, "We call on our members to suspend the blockades."

"We have been heard on a number of points, with tangible progress," including emergency measures to financially support struggling farmers and wine producers, Arnaud Rousseau - president of FNSEA - reportedly said.

Earlier in the day,  the prime minister had announced a new set of measures, in addition to promises made over previous days.

Mr Attal reportedly promised there would be no new pesticide ban "without a solution" and said no pesticides that are authorised elsewhere in the EU would be banned in France. The statement came in response to a demand by French farmers who have denounced stricter regulations in France on pesticide products than those in neighbouring countries.

France will propose the creation of a "European control force" to combat fraud, the prime minister said, particularly regarding health regulations, and fight against the import of food products that contravene European and French health standards.

Mr Attal also reportedly reaffirmed that the country would remain opposed to the EU signing a free-trade deal with the Mercosur trade group. "There is no question of France accepting this treaty," he said.

He announced 150 million euros ($162 million) in aid to livestock farmers and a decrease in taxes on farms being transferred from older generations to younger ones.

Marc Fesneau - French Agriculture Minister - spoke after the prime minister and announced a €2 billion package to create loans for those who are setting up as farmers.

The French government has also doubled the number of controls to sanction food industrial groups and supermarkets that fail to comply with a 2018 law intended to pay a fair price to farmers. For companies that don't comply, the fine can reportedly reach up to 2 per cent of sales revenues.

Source: KRWG

(Quotes via original reporting)

On February 1, France's two major farmers unions announced their decision to suspend protests and lift road blockades across the country, KRWG reports.

The development followed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's unveiling of a new set of measures which were seen as "tangible progress."

Arnaud Gaillot - President of the Young Farmers union - spoke alongside the head of France's biggest farmers union FNSEA on February 1, saying, "We call on our members to suspend the blockades."

"We have been heard on a number of points, with tangible progress," including emergency measures to financially support struggling farmers and wine producers, Arnaud Rousseau - president of FNSEA - reportedly said.

Earlier in the day,  the prime minister had announced a new set of measures, in addition to promises made over previous days.

Mr Attal reportedly promised there would be no new pesticide ban "without a solution" and said no pesticides that are authorised elsewhere in the EU would be banned in France. The statement came in response to a demand by French farmers who have denounced stricter regulations in France on pesticide products than those in neighbouring countries.

France will propose the creation of a "European control force" to combat fraud, the prime minister said, particularly regarding health regulations, and fight against the import of food products that contravene European and French health standards.

Mr Attal also reportedly reaffirmed that the country would remain opposed to the EU signing a free-trade deal with the Mercosur trade group. "There is no question of France accepting this treaty," he said.

He announced 150 million euros ($162 million) in aid to livestock farmers and a decrease in taxes on farms being transferred from older generations to younger ones.

Marc Fesneau - French Agriculture Minister - spoke after the prime minister and announced a €2 billion package to create loans for those who are setting up as farmers.

The French government has also doubled the number of controls to sanction food industrial groups and supermarkets that fail to comply with a 2018 law intended to pay a fair price to farmers. For companies that don't comply, the fine can reportedly reach up to 2 per cent of sales revenues.

Source: KRWG

(Quotes via original reporting)