Deaths in Farmers’ Protests in France

Deaths in Farmers’ Protests in France

Tensions rise in France as numerous farmers take to the streets in protest against increasing energy costs, the price of agricultural diesel, and dwindling incomes. A farmer lost her life during a protest in the southern town of Pamiers.

During the ongoing farmers’ protests in France, there has been one fatality and two seriously injured individuals. The president of the farming union FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, confirmed that a female farmer lost her life at a roadblock on a national highway from Toulouse to Spain.

According to reports from BFMTV, her husband and daughter were critically injured. The three were apparently behind a straw blockade in Pamiers when a driver attempted to break through the roadblock.

Following a meeting between agricultural associations and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Monday evening, French farmers expanded their protests. South of Lyon, around 20 farmers blocked the crucial north-south highway A7 in both directions with their tractors during the night, according to the prefecture.

Highways blocked, train services disrupted

Blockades of several highways in the Toulouse region of southern France reportedly continue, according to authorities. The highway from Bordeaux to Spain was interrupted in both directions near Bayonne, close to the border.

Train services between Bordeaux and Toulouse continue to be disrupted by protesting farmers. The national rail company SNCF reported fires near the tracks. The farmers also lit fires in barrels at their protest sites.

The protests by French farmers revolve around excessive regulations, income situations, energy costs, and, similar to Germany, the price of agricultural diesel. Additionally, in southern regions, the water supply for farms is increasingly becoming a problem due to climate change.