FRANCE: In a dramatic display of frustration, hundreds of farmers descended upon the European Parliament, pelting it with eggs and stones, igniting fires, and setting off fireworks. Their impassioned protest aimed to pressure European leaders gathered for a summit to address their grievances regarding taxes, rising costs, and environmental regulations.
Farmers from various European countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, joined the demonstration after weeks of ongoing protests that have seen tractors blockading roads, ports, and city entrances. Despite attempts to breach barriers erected in front of the parliament, police responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
The protest highlights the widespread discontent among farmers who feel undervalued and burdened by regulatory constraints and unfair competition from abroad.
Efforts by the European Commission to address farmers’ concerns, such as temporary exemptions from agricultural rules and limits on imports of certain products, have failed to quell the unrest. In response to mounting pressure, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced additional aid of €150 million for struggling farmers and proposed measures to protect them from unfair practices by retailers.
Attal also called for clear legislation at the EU level regarding lab-grown meat, a contentious issue that has sparked debate among agriculture ministers across Europe. The protests underscore the deep-seated challenges facing the agricultural sector and the urgent need for meaningful reforms to support farmers and ensure fair and sustainable practices across the industry.
Courtesy: Realtime Global Data Intelligence Platform
