French farmers vow to expand protests over tax hikes, EU rules

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) — Farmers in France plan to broaden ongoing protests launched against tax hikes and the rising pressure of EU regulations, the country's main agricultural trade union announced Wednesday.

"By Friday, there will be actions in 85 departments, continuously or sporadically. Everybody in all the departments will go out eventually," the president of the FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, told broadcaster France 2.

"We do not want to bother the French population, we would rather be in our farms but we do not have a choice," Rousseau added.

Farmers are demanding better wages, simplified administration, no new bans on pesticides, an end to tractor fuel price hikes, and better compensation after disasters, according to broadcaster France 24.

Protests began last week as demonstrators blocked highways in southwestern France.

An accident on Tuesday has raised tensions at the protests in the southern town of Ariege, near the Spanish border, broadcaster BFMTV reported.

A vehicle hit and killed a 35-year-old protesting farmer, Alexandra, and her 12-year-old daughter, while her husband was injured.

Rousseau also announced he would unveil a list of around 40 measures to end the crisis.

He also urged Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to come and meet with the farmers.

Other European countries, including Germany and Romania, were jolted by farmers' protests in recent weeks.