French farmers block cities in price protest

Since the weekend tractors have blocked roads in Normandy, including the route to Mont Saint-Michel, a famous tourist site.

Their ire is directed against the big supermarkets who they accused of keeping their prices low, and therefore threatening farmers’ livelihoods. But farmers accuse the shops and food firms of not respecting the deal.

The farmers waved banners studying “You are letting us die” and “Angry farmers” as tractors drove slowly on one of many major roads via the Normandy and Calvados areas. Retailers explained the reason might be that they aren’t buying meat from farmers directly, but from processors.

Farmers have been hit by a triple whammy of falling global dairy prices, a drop in European pork prices and lower payments for beef, according to the minister.

Samuel Bidert, of the Young Farmers group taking part in the protest, said he was now paid €300 ($325) per tonne of milk, but that he needed €370 “to live in dignity without depending on my wife, and 340-350 to pay my costs without receiving a salary”. Hollande also called on consumers to do their bit, and urged them to purchase products that feature the “Meats of France” label, which is being implemented from today (20 July).

Le Foll said on Friday that pork producers were getting around 1.38 euros a kilogram, which was still below the target of 1.40 euros.

Le Foll invited protesting farmers in Paris on Thursday to discuss the crisis but these firmly declined the invitation, asking him to travel to Caen instead.

But calls for the large supermarket chains to raise their prices has had little impact and French farmers are suffering from increased competition for their pigs and cows. “Beyond the issue of distribution and prices, I have asked that there should be an emergency plan for French livestock and dairy producers.’ He said the measures would be ‘structural” but gave no details. “Everybody needs to play their part”.

Farm Minister Stephane Le Foll told France 2 television on Tuesday that a government-commissioned report looking into pricing problems in the meat industry would now be submitted to a mediator on Tuesday, rather than Wednesday as originally planned.

“Meetings in Paris that don’t lead to anything do not interest us”, said Jean-Yves Heurtin, regional head of the FDSEA.