Farmers unleash tractors onto Paris streets
Seeking major changes from President Francois Hollande on multiple levels, French farmers have taken to the streets in and around Paris from across the country on foot or on board hundreds of slow-moving tractors, Press TV reports.
The protesters asked for price controls for their products, whose market values have nosedived, as well as government aid and recognition.
The protest took place as the bans imposed by Russia on Western food products in return for sanctions from the European Union have reduced markets’ ability to sell their products and resulted in a sharp drop in commodity prices.
Meanwhile, the EU’s free-trade policy permits the constant arrival of cheaper imports from East European farms.
“Since July, we have had demonstrations in every province of France with no response. Now, we have mobilized on a national level in order to keep applying pressure against the government,” said an attendee.
“We have forgotten that the foundation of life is provided by the farmer and we deserve the right to lead dignified lives while we work the land,” said another.
France’s Minister of Agriculture Stéphane Le Foll has estimated that nearly 10 percent of the country’s farms are on the brink of bankruptcy with a combined debt of around EUR one billion (USD 1.11 billion).
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