La solidarité des agriculteurs wallons et français renforce les actions - RTBF Info

Summary

Belgian and French farmers unite to protest against unrealistic European regulations and unfair foreign competition that is driving down prices. They feel current policies are choking local agriculture and preventing young people from taking over family farms. After months of actions, French farmers start blocking roads heading to Paris to pressure the new government for better prices, less red tape, and policies preserving rural livelihoods. The Agriculture Minister pledges to address their grievances but warns more radical reforms involve complex EU-wide negotiations.

Takeaways

• 😠 French and Belgian farmers are protesting together against unfair EU regulations and competition.
• 😫 They feel EU regulations are unrealistic and imports don't follow the same standards.
• 🚜 Over 100 tractors drove from Malmedy to protest in Brussels.
• 😖 Farmers say they have to work extra jobs as farming alone doesn't provide a decent living.
• 😒 Farmers want coherent policies, fair prices, and regulations adapted to realities on the ground.
• 😞 Young farmers doubt the future of agriculture with decreasing milk prices and increasing costs.
• 😡 A delegation of young farmers brought the Agriculture Minister a bale of hay representing their grievances.
• 🤔 The Minister acknowledges their concerns and will advocate for them at the EU level.
• 😥 French farmers feel asphyxiated by EU measures and continue protesting by blocking roads.
• 📢 They plan to escalate actions in Paris if the new Prime Minister doesn't address their demands.

Q & A

Why are the farmers protesting?

The farmers are protesting unfair prices for their products, unrealistic regulations, and unfair competition from imported products that don't meet the same standards.

What are some of the specific difficulties faced by farmers?

Falling prices, rising costs, increasing regulations and standards, difficulty making a living, competition from imports, intergenerational transition issues.

What symbolic action did the farmers take?

They overturned road signs at the entrance to their town to call for common sense from public authorities.

How did the minister respond to the farmers' complaints?

The agriculture minister said he would do everything to escalate their grievances at the EU level, as he agrees reform is needed to ensure decent incomes and facilitate intergenerational transition.

Are the issues faced by French and Belgian farmers the same?

Yes, French and Belgian farmers say they feel they are in the same predicament regarding EU regulations, income issues, generational renewal problems, and feel united in their struggles.

What actions are French farmers taking?

Blocking major roads, burning a caravan, heading to Paris to put pressure on the new Prime Minister to make agriculture announcements.

What is planned in Paris by protesting farmers?

Blocking and slowing down traffic on 5 major highways leading to Paris between 2pm-midnight to maximize pressure on the new government.

Until when do some farmers plan to continue protests?

Some farmers plan to continue protest actions until at least the annual Agriculture Fair in a month.

What financial issues do young farmers wanting to take over face?

Falling milk prices, rising feed costs, and increasingly strict regulations make intergenerational transition very difficult financially.

What role can Belgium play in influencing EU agricultural policy?

As current president of the Council of the EU, Belgium can directly discuss and aim to reform the Common Agricultural Policy.