The great dialogue desired by Emmanuel Macron at the Agricultural Show has already suffered a blow. Under pressure in particular from the FNSEA, the Elysée finally preferred, on Thursday February 22, not to invite to this discussion the Earth Uprising collective, which the government wanted dissolved a few months ago.
Emmanuel Macron had initially planned a major exchange with “all the players in the agricultural world”, Saturday February 24, the opening day of the Agricultural Show, “to outline the future” of the sector, according to the ‘Elysium. But the organization of this debate modeled on the model of the major discussions set up during the “yellow vest” crisis was thwarted by the refusal of the president of the majority agricultural union FNSEA to see the Earth Uprisings participate,
“The invitation by the PR [President of the Republic] to
The invitation of the collective, described as “ecoterrorist” by the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin, also provoked the anger of the president of the Young Farmers Arnaud Gaillot. “There is no debate possible with these violent people,” he posted on X, also refusing to participate.
The opposition immediately rushed into the breach. “Definitely, Macron embodies nothing other than confusion, contempt and disorder,” reacted far-right leader Marine Le Pen. The President of the Republicans Eric Ciotti denounced him as ““at the same time” Macronist (…) unbearable”.
“Sketch the future”
After a few moments of hesitation, the Elysée finally decided not to invite the Uprisings of the Earth, “to guarantee the serenity of the debates”. However, the presidency wanted “open, frank and transparent” exchanges, “without filter”, “in a republican state of mind”.
This debate must last at least two hours and is supposed to bring together the main leaders of the agricultural unions (FNSEA, Young Farmers, Rural Coordination, Peasant Confederation, etc.), but also representatives of large retailers and manufacturers. Several leaders of environmental associations are also invited, such as the Climate Action and Future Generations Network. “All stakeholders will be able to give their point of view, make proposals, compare ideas,” promised the presidency.
The delays surrounding this debate came as farmers, angry for several weeks, maintained pressure on the government. Around a hundred of them demonstrated on Thursday in Arras at the call of the Rural Coordination to demand “acts”.
“I didn’t think I would go back to the streets again, I would prefer to be on my farm working”, but “announcements have been made and there is still nothing concrete”, lamented for example Adrien Spriet, who came park your tractor in front of the prefecture where a delegation was received in the afternoon.
Several actions in the territory
In Oise, farmers marched in Beauvais on eighty tractors to the prefecture. Snail operations also took place on the roads of this department, at the initiative of 400 farmers, according to the FDSEA. “We are waiting for the intervention of the president [Emmanuel Macron] because what the Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, announced does not satisfy us,” explained Linda Monnier, director of the FDSEA of Oise.
Mr. Attal will travel to Charente-Maritime on Friday where he will visit the Royan market and then meet representatives of farmers. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister summarized the dozens of commitments and projects already launched to respond to the anger of the agricultural world. New measures have been announced on visas for foreign seasonal workers, pesticides, with the abandonment of a controversial indicator, and even remuneration. These declarations did not prevent several protest actions throughout France.
On Thursday, around twenty actions took place in the territory, a third of which were initiated since Wednesday, according to a police source (blockades of platforms, logistics bases, motorway interchanges, etc.). Prefectures and sub-prefectures were also targeted.
According to a police source, Spanish farmers are considering blockades at the border with France next week, hoping to be joined by French farmers.
