French farmers are blocking roads across the country to demand government action to address numerous grievances, as protests in the European Union's agricultural sector spread. Here are some of the issues that have prompted the growing protest movement and how the government could respond.
Explainer: Why are French farmers protesting?
Many farmers feeling pinched by costs, imports, environmental regulations and disregarded by French society
One dead, two injured as French farmer protests spread
Farmers union says road blocks won't be lifted until government action on economic, regulatory concerns
Protesting farmers blocked roads across France on Tuesday and there was one fatal accident, as their unions urged the government to ease its drive for lower consumer prices and reduce environmental regulations.
France’s farmer lobby turns up heat on government before talks
French farmers have a long history of disruptive protests
French farmers' representatives threatened to expand protests on Monday before a meeting with government to address anger over price pressures, taxes and green regulation - grievances that are shared by farmers across Europe.
France could face nationwide farmer protests as anger mounts
Farmers cite fuel taxes, excessive restrictions and red tape among grievances
France's largest farm union FNSEA is considering nationwide protests in the coming weeks, a spokesperson said on Friday, potentially expanding action by farmers in the southwest who have blocked a highway and dumped manure on public buildings.
Sweden reports bird flu outbreak as disease spreads
The Philippines bans poultry imports from France, Belgium to protect poultry, workers, consumers
Sweden has reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus on a farm in the southern part of the country, the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Tuesday, as the disease spreads in Europe. The Philippines, meanwhile, has banned imports of French and Belgian poultry as a virus containment measure.
France passes law to protect farmers against neighbours’ complaints over noise and smells
Some 500 farmers are facing lawsuits from neighbors irate over agricultural smells, noise
The country has a history of conflicts between former city dwellers buying country houses and then complaining about roosters crowing, dogs barking, the noise of agricultural machinery or the smell of manure.
French foie gras makers toast rising output after bird flu gloom
Canada, U.S., Japan ban French poultry imports since vaccination
Paris | Reuters — French foie gras output is set to rise for the first time in five years in 2023 as France starts vaccinating ducks against bird flu that has destroyed flocks in recent years, but trade bans that followed will weigh on exports, producers said on Thursday. France has been among the countries […] Read more
Canada puts temporary ban on France’s poultry, eggs
CFIA move to 'manage the risk' from bird flu vaccination plan
Imports of live birds and unprocessed poultry and eggs from France are barred from Canada effective Sunday (Oct. 1), pending a risk assessment of France’s duck vaccination program for avian flu. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the temporary ban Tuesday, following France’s move to require mandatory vaccination against highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI) […] Read more
French court bans sale of two Touchdown glyphosates
Court cites lack of analysis of effects on wildlife
Paris | Reuters — A French court has banned the sale of two glyphosate-based herbicides produced by Swiss chemical group Syngenta because of a lack of analysis on the chemical’s potential harm to some wildlife. “The decision on Sept. 30, 2020 by French health security agency ANSES to renew the marketing authorization for the chemical […] Read more
France confirms S-metolachlor herbicide ban with 18-month deadline
Ban would mostly affect corn, sunflower crops
Paris | Reuters — France will proceed with a ban on major crop uses of herbicide S-metolachlor owing to concerns over water pollution, with farmers able to use the product for another 18 months, the agriculture ministry said on Friday. The decision follows a ruling in February by health and safety agency ANSES that main […] Read more
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