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French farmers invade Paris agricultural fair

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French farmers invade Paris agricultural fair
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French farmers invade Paris agricultural fair

February 24, 2024

A group of farmers forced their way through an entry gate, calling for President Emmanuel Macron to resign. European farmers have been protesting for months, complaining about low profits, bureaucracy and unfair competition.

https://p.dw.com/p/4cpRK
Farmers clash with police inside the Porte de Versailles exhibition center during the International Agricultural Fair in Paris, France, on February 24, 2024
Fights broke out between police and protesters while French President Emmanuel Macron visited the fairImage: Stéphanie Lecocq/REUTERS

Dozens of French farmers were forced on Saturday to open an entry gate to an agricultural fair in Paris as part of their protests against the European Union’s green policies and other measures that they say are hitting their bottom line.

Clashes broke out as riot police tried to contain the farmers.

Many of them were shouted and booed, calling for French President Emmanuel Macron to resign.

Reuters news agency reported that at least one person was arrested at the fair, which lasts nine days and attracts around 600,000 visitors.

Macron was present at the Salon International de l’Agriculture (International Agricultural Fair) to hold a debate with farmers, food processors and retailers.

But the event was canceled on Friday after farmers’ unions said they would not attend.

Green policies harm food production, say farmers

Farmers have been staging furious protests across Europe for several weeks, arguing that bureaucracy, new regulations to combat climate change and unfair competition from Ukraine are making farming unprofitable.

The demonstrations have already forced some EU states and the European Union to reverse some planned reforms.

Farmers in France scaled back their protests, which included blocking roads and dumping manure in front of public buildings, after Prime Minister Gabriel Attal promised worthwhile new measures. 400 million (US$433 million).

But protests resumed this week ahead of the agricultural fair, to pressure the government to fulfill those promises and provide more aid.

On Friday, French farmers demonstrated in front of the agricultural fair, where some camped overnight.

Other protesters took part in a tractor procession that parked for several hours in central Paris.

Some political analysts believe that the demonstrations could have an impact on the outcome of the European Parliament elections in June.

Source: DW

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