France‘s prime minister on Thursday unveiled a brand new set of measures meant to deal with the considerations of farmers who’ve been protesting for days throughout the nation to denounce low wages, heavy regulation and unfair competitors from overseas.
Gabriel Attal‘s speech got here as convoys with tons of of offended farmers driving heavy-duty tractors created chaos exterior the European Union’s headquarters, demanding leaders at an EU summit present reduction from rising costs and forms.
“The question is currently being asked throughout Europe: is there a future for our agriculture? Of course, the answer is yes,” Attal stated.
On highway blockades throughout France, protesters watched the speech on smartphones and televisions that they had arrange. There had been visitors barricades on eight highways round Paris amid a big police presence.
Attal promised there shall be no new pesticide ban “without a solution” and stated no pesticides can be banned in France which are licensed elsewhere within the EU. The assertion was in response to a requirement by French farmers who’ve denounced stricter laws in France on pesticide merchandise than in neighboring nations.
Also, Attal introduced that France was banning, beginning instantly, imports of vegatables and fruits coming from exterior the EU which were handled with Thiaclopride — an insecticide at present banned within the bloc.
France will suggest the creation of a “European control force” to fight fraud, he stated, significantly relating to well being laws, and struggle in opposition to import of meals merchandise that go in opposition to European and French well being requirements.
Attal additionally reaffirmed France would stay against the EU signing a free-trade take care of the Mercosur commerce group. “There isn’t any query of France accepting this treaty,” he said.
The government’s goals with the newly announced measures are “to give food its value back” and “to boost farmers’ income, to protect them against unfair competition and to simplify their daily life,” he said.
Attal also announced 150 million euros ($162 million) in aid to livestock farmers and a decrease in taxes on farms being transferred from older generations to younger ones.
Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau, speaking after Attal, announced a 2 billion euro ($2.16 billion) package to make loans for those who are setting up as farmers.
The French government has also doubled numbers of controls to sanction food industrial groups and supermarkets that don’t comply with a 2018 law meant to pay a fair price to farmers. The fine can reach up to 2% of sales revenues to companies that don’t comply.
Source: independent.co.uk