On Monday, January 29, French farmers blocked the main highways leading to Paris with tractors.
Source. This was reported by Reuters.
According to the publication, farmers' protests have intensified across the country. France 24 reports that protesters have announced a complete siege of Paris.
Amid the protests, the French authorities promised on January 26 to abandon plans to reduce government subsidies for diesel fuel for agricultural purposes, but farmers' organizations said this was not enough. Farmers claim that due to strict government regulation, their products cannot compete with imported goods.
The French government has promised to seek a relaxation of EU environmental standards for agricultural land: In exchange for subsidies, the EU requires at least 4% of agricultural land to remain under steam.
In particular, President Emmanuel Macron intends to discuss the problems of farmers at the EU leaders' summit to be held in Brussels this week.
Protests of agricultural producers are also taking place in neighboring Belgium: farmers there blocked traffic on the ring road around Brussels for some time.