The week-long protests by French farmers have effectively blocked parts of the country and revolve around several core issues. Some are local, like winegrowers in the Rhône region who close the border. Others are broader, touching on the costs faced by agricultural workers or bureaucratic pressures that influence farming. There are also demands that regulatory measures address agriculture’s role in society beyond farming itself, including concerns about large distributors and exemptions from the hydrocarbon tax that some claim to maintain.
2. What will happen to wages in rural France?
France’s main agricultural union, FNSEA, which organized the protests together with Jeunes Agriculteurs, calls for absolute respect for farmers. Laws known as Egalim aim to protect farmers’ wages amid commercial disputes that manufacturers and large distributors frequently encounter. The measures in Egalim 1, enacted in 2013, and Egalim 2, enacted in 2018, were designed to help producers cover production costs. Yet pressure tactics and methods used by large supermarkets often hinder compliance, drawing consistent condemnation from farmers. Income remains under strain. The Prime Minister has pledged to apply measures to push back against noncompliance during a recent visit to a small dairy farm near Toulouse. The government faces a backlog in support payments, including CAP funds, and compensation programs tied to health and climate risks such as bird flu or floods that have affected rural areas in recent months.
3. What environmental measures affect farms?
FNSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs are calling for a review of existing standards, arguing that they are too restrictive and add bureaucracy. They contend that the constant questions about production methods hinder true food sovereignty for the country and the continent. They assert that environmental protections adopted in recent years have burdened producers. They are pushing for an investigation into the 2021 water plan, the withdrawal of irrigated land, and the coordination of drought responses. They also oppose wetland protection plans and distance requirements for crops near homes and protected environments when applying plant protection products. The government has responded with commitments to increase support where needed, including 90 percent compensation in affected sectors, 50 million euros in regional aid, and an emergency package of 50 million for organic production.
4. Why is the diesel tax exemption so important?
Prime Minister Attal announced the cancellation of rising non-road diesel taxes, a change that protesters have long awaited. This shift comes after the diesel tax exemption for farmers and the construction sector was first adjusted downward on January 1. The government intends to align GNR taxation with other fuels, but farmers point to the already stretched liquidity of farms and the rising fuel costs driven by global events. They argue that now is not the time to remove exemptions, given fuel prices have climbed due to the war in Ukraine. The typical GNR price at the end of 2023 stood at about 1.22 euros per liter, having doubled between 2020 and 2022.
5. Why border controls matter to farmers?
FNSEA president Arnaud Rousseau described the ongoing protest movement as the driving force behind a broader European farmer revolt. While community regulations aim to support a Farm to Table approach, the unions warn that strict rules risk reducing production in Europe. Concerns about competition from Spain, Italy, or Morocco are common, with Rousseau noting that a sizable portion of the meat served in France is imported. He argues that the new EU model could push organic farming forward while requiring tougher checks at European borders. The prime minister has signaled support for additional measures with EU partners to protect public food sovereignty in France. He also noted that a significant share of fruits and vegetables are imported, pointing to productivity constraints created by environmental rules. The government plans to reinforce measures to safeguard national food sovereignty.
6. How can intergenerational renewal be ensured?
FNSEA calls for the rapid implementation of an intergenerational renewal plan proposed by the agriculture ministry in December. The union seeks a robust framework that includes fiscal and social measures to help younger farmers establish themselves and transfer farms. The ministry’s response emphasizes priority projects under the orientation pact in favor of intergenerational change, promising that practical steps will be implemented to ease the lives of farming families.