Disappointed by gov't measures, farmers relaunch protests in southern France

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – Farmers took to the streets again on Monday in southern France after dissatisfaction over the measures announced by the government, according to media reports.

Farmers’ tractors rallied in the streets of Marseille ahead of the Agriculture Fair in Paris planned for Saturday, to intensify pressure on the government, the daily Le Parisien said.

The government announced some measures to appease the tensions in January, and managed to convince some farmers to end protests, but those measures are not being implemented concretely enough, according to the farmers.

The farmers demanded better wages, simplified administration, no new bans on pesticides, an end to tractor fuel price hikes, and better compensation after disasters.

They also contested the rising pressure of EU regulations, including the Green Deal and the Common Agricultural Policy.

Protests began in January as demonstrators blocked highways in southwestern France.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced a group of measures and gave up on increasing fuel prices.

Hundreds of cabs also joined the protests and blocked the roads in and around Marseille as cab drivers claimed better wages, the same source added.