The farmers’ protests have intensified in France, with more than 100 blocking points and 10,000 people demonstrating on Wednesday morning, according to local media. The protest culminates in Paris, but farmers have also blocked major motorways.
Protesting French farmers 'besiege’ Paris by blocking all major highways with their tractors, demanding just prices and loosened regulations.#farmers #protest #Paris #France #live #Reuters #news https://t.co/r0rmNxFC7E
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 31, 2024
The latest aid measures announced by France’s new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal have failed to sway the protesting farmers, and they continue their blockades.
Attal, in an attempt to quell the protest movement that has seen tractors block highways across France and inspired similar actions in Europe, made promises ranging from emergency cash aid to controls on imported food.
Farmers, seeking improved pay, fewer restrictions, and reduced costs, are stationed on hay-strewn motorways, encircling Paris and presenting a significant challenge to the new prime minister who assumed office less than a month ago.
Despite Attal’s promises of emergency aid and quick payment of EU subsidies, along with threats of fines for non-compliant food retailers, French farmers remain sceptical, emphasising their desire for tangible actions rather than promises.
Les agriculteurs #FDSEA85 + @JAVendee arrivent à @larochesuryonfr #onmarchesurlatete pic.twitter.com/a0wkPNFB1O
— FDSEA Vendée (@FDSEAVendee) January 31, 2024
Farmers protest in Belgium, Germany, Italy and Spain
The French farmers’ anger has quickly escalated into a widespread protest.
Farmers in Germany have intensified their protests, causing significant traffic disruptions in Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony.
Their reasons are similar to the French: fuelled by dissatisfaction with the federal government’s austerity policies, farmers have strategically blocked motorway entrances, leading to traffic restrictions across central Germany.
Blockade Autobahn A9 Auffahrt Ingolstadt Nord
31.1.24 🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜💪💪 pic.twitter.com/xPrBPFC2d9— Team Sotogrande 🇩🇪 🕊️ 🐴🐶 (@SotograndeM) January 31, 2024
In Thuringia, the blockades began at 8 a.m on Wednesday, with agricultural vehicles strategically positioned to hinder access. The protests are officially registered until 1 p.m.
In Saxony-Anhalt, nearly all motorway entrances have been blocked since 8 a.m., affecting multiple major routes.
Agriculture Minister Sven Schulze acknowledged the frustration behind the protests, citing a lack of progress in Berlin, while urging participants to maintain a peaceful demonstration in coordination with authorities.
In Saxony, around 800 vehicles are anticipated to join a rally in Plauen, with farmers demanding the resignation of Agriculture Minister Wolfram Günther due to delayed agricultural subsidies payments, adding to the growing wave of discontent among farmers nationwide.
Farmers in Belgium are also continuing protesting today; they say they plan to stay on the road until the government responds to their demands.
In addition, farmers in Italy have also mobilised in protest, with hundreds of tractors blocking roads and motorways as part of a five-day, five-night demonstration that will last until Saturday.
The farmers are calling for greater protection for ‘Made in Italy’ products and are protesting against a number of issues, including rising diesel prices.
Drivers’ hours relaxed in Spain for hauliers heading to France
In response to the difficulties caused by the farmers’ strike in France, the Spanish Ministry of Transport has approved temporary measures to relax the rules on drivers’ working hours. These measures will be in force from 22 January to 4 February 2024 and will apply to hauliers carrying out goods transport operations on French territory during this period.
The relaxation allow the following alteration from the drivers’ hours regulation:
- maximum daily driving extended from 9 to 11 hours,
- weekly limit extended from 56 to 60 hours,
- biweekly limit extended from 90 to 120 hours,
- daily rest requirements reduced from 11 hours to 9 hours,
- possibility of taking two consecutive reduced weekly breaks of at least 24 hours is enabled, “with conditions”.