Farmers protesting in Toulouse, France, on January 16, 2024, with tractors bearing placards that read ‘Macron still an effort, soon all farmers will be dead’. Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto via Reuters

Explainer: Why are French farmers protesting?

Many farmers feeling pinched by costs, imports, environmental regulations and disregarded by French society

French farmers are blocking roads across the country to demand government action to address numerous grievances, as protests in the European Union's agricultural sector spread. Here are some of the issues that have prompted the growing protest movement and how the government could respond.

A hay bale is moved by a tractor over a pile to block a road, as French farmers protest over price pressures, taxes and green regulation, grievances shared by farmers across Europe, near Castelnaudary, in the south of France, January 23, 2024. The text on the hay bales reads: “JA” referring to “Jeunes Agriculteurs” (Young Farmers) and “We just want to feed, not die”. Photo: Reuters/Nacho Doce

One dead, two injured as French farmer protests spread

Farmers union says road blocks won't be lifted until government action on economic, regulatory concerns

Protesting farmers blocked roads across France on Tuesday and there was one fatal accident, as their unions urged the government to ease its drive for lower consumer prices and reduce environmental regulations.



Farmers protesting in Toulouse, France, on January 16, 2024, with tractors bearing placards that read ‘Macron still an effort, soon all farmers will be dead’. Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto via Reuters

France could face nationwide farmer protests as anger mounts

Farmers cite fuel taxes, excessive restrictions and red tape among grievances

France's largest farm union FNSEA is considering nationwide protests in the coming weeks, a spokesperson said on Friday, potentially expanding action by farmers in the southwest who have blocked a highway and dumped manure on public buildings.

After a protest demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate, a woman with a German flag stands in front of a tractor on which dolls with the faces of Federal Chancellor Scholz, Economics Minister Habeck and Foreign Minister Baerbock are mounted with the signature “The scourge of our country.”
Photo: Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa via Reuters Connect

There’s no more money, German minister tells booing farmers

Berlin brought to near standstill by demonstrations; government attempts conciliatory tone

Berlin has been brought to a near standstill by the demonstration, which filled one of its central avenues with trucks and tractors as some 10,000 farmers arrived to cap a week of protests against taxes that have become a flashpoint for anti-government anger.