What do farmers want to lift the blockade in Paris?

The distress of French farmers is a reality that no one can ignore. But how did we get to this situation?

This unrest is reflected across the entire French territory through the action “We are going the wrong way” and the increasing number of blockades nationwide. FNSEA affirms that calm will not return without very concrete measures to send a signal to the farms. These demands must, for farmers, be accompanied by long-term reflections at the French and European levels, and aim to influence the vision held by policymakers—both French and European—regarding agriculture.

The message conveyed by FNSEA is based on three priority axes which we present here without modification or commentary:

The dignity of farmers in their work

The crisis is moral. Farmers feel abandoned due to a lack of ambition and clarity in public policies. This feeling is reinforced by obvious inconsistencies in regulations, such as the stated goal in ecological planning to produce more biomass while simultaneously eliminating means of production. Furthermore, during times of crisis, farmers often receive support from the general public, yet they are also frequently subject to harsh criticism. This creates a widespread feeling of discomfort and a lack of recognition for the profession, which cannot be ignored.

Fair remuneration for work

Fair pay is essential to valorize farmers’ work and give them prospects and clarity about the future. This long-standing issue must be addressed through the full implementation of Egalim laws and by fostering a mindset that builds price expectations accordingly. Yet, more than five years after the first law was enacted, signals sent just days before the end of commercial negotiations—especially during this inflationary period—are detrimental to the implementation of Egalim. It is urgent to enforce the law. This is a necessary condition to meet the demographic challenge in agriculture. Beyond respecting Egalim, a comprehensive approach is expected to ensure fair remuneration.

The need to restore acceptable working conditions

The increasing number of regulations encountered daily is accompanied by a constant questioning of production methods. It raises questions about the will of leaders to engage in genuine reflection on the country’s and continent’s food sovereignty. This must be accompanied by strategic choices. It is urgent to give farmers a breather so they can successfully carry out their projects. An agricultural model operates over the long term. It is imperative that administrative and regulatory frameworks take this time scale into account. The success of French agriculture and the transitions it must undertake depend on it. Lastly, farmers expect decisions to align with the discourse. Too many measures are taken without coherence with the stated objectives.