More than a year after the farmers' protests, FNSEA and JA are calling on farmers to hold further demonstrations and actions from May 26th. Arnaud Rousseau, president of the farmers' union, spoke of a "feeling of betrayal," given the promises which the French government did not keep.
Arnaud Rousseau believes that Senator Duplomb's bill to lift the constraints on farming (due to be examined by the lower house on May 26th) has been "defeated in many respects." On May 5th, 1,279 researchers, doctors, and carers published an open letter (supported by Médecins du Monde) addressed to the French ministers of health, agriculture, labor, and the environment, which are the 4 ministries responsible for the French National Health and Safety Agency (Anses). They denounced the dangers of the proposed legislation and warned of the risk of weakening the role of Anses.
"The mobilization of a year and a half ago is not bearing fruit, and we need concrete action on our farms, on the issue of water and production means. That is why we need to mobilize," explains Arnaud Rousseau.
"This text, which was widely adopted by the Senate, has just been subjected to unacceptable tinkering by the National Assembly's Sustainable Development Committee, with certain articles censored and harsher measures added," according to the FDSEA union of Tarn-et-Garonne.
Frsea Occitanie and Jeunes Agriculteurs Occitanie called for renewed protests in the region last week.
In a joint press release published on May 13th, the two unions (Occitania) warn that "farmers' expectations were high and their disappointment is immense. Their reaction will therefore be commensurate with this unacceptable disdain. [...] The exasperation that led to the major demonstrations in the winter of 2024 has resurfaced intact."