French premier abandons fuel tax hikes for farmers amid protests

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) — France's prime minister on Friday gave up on increasing fuel taxes for farmers, local media reported.

Gabriel Attal met with a group of farmers in the southwestern town of Montastruc-de-Salies amid protests for better wages, a decrease in taxes, and simplification of regulations and bureaucratic procedures, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

France's government had wanted to reform the tax on agricultural fuels, technically called "non-road diesel," used for off-road vehicles in agriculture, forestry, or public works, including farmers' tractors.

The aim of the reform was to progressively increase the tax by €0.03 ($0.03) per year until 2030.

Attal said the measure could not be adopted, however, saying the government would drop plans to increase non-road diesel tax.

He also vowed to drastically simplify administrative procedures, adding that regional administrations will meet with sector representatives for discussions on what can be done, according to BFMTV.

The country's Egalim law, which aims to protect farmers' income in negotiations with industry and supermarkets, were another point of contention for the protesting farmers.

Attal promised to ensure that the law is respected, to exert maximum pressure in commercial negotiations, and to heavily sanction enterprises that refuse to comply.

The premier also promised to distribute aid for financial emergency quicker.

Attal went on to meet with another group of farmers protesting on the country's A64 highway, becoming a symbol of the protests that started a week ago in southwestern France.

Attal's statements divided the farmers. While some groups announced that they would drop the protests and that the A64 would be unblocked at noon Saturday, others have said they intend to continue, expressing their discontent with the agreement.

- Farmers' protests

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

They also are contesting rising pressure of EU regulations.

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

Other European countries, including Germany and Romania, were jolted in recent weeks by protests from farmers who have criticized EU regulations, including the Green Deal and the Common Agricultural Policy.

The EU’s Green Deal program, announced in 2019, aims to achieve climate neutrality and zero carbon emissions in the EU by 2050.