Farmers Plan Targeted Actions, Block Highways in Coming Hours

Farmers in southwestern France are intensifying their protests, continuing highway blockades and planned actions across several regions. This mobilization, which started over the weekend, includes areas such as Gironde, Dordogne, Landes, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Key actions are set to take place on Monday, December 15.

Overview of Planned Actions

Farmers are determined to maintain pressure on governmental policies, particularly concerning the systematic culling of livestock due to disease outbreaks. Representatives have described the upcoming actions as critical, indicating that they may block roads and highways indefinitely.

Pyrénées-Atlantiques: Highway A64 Blocked

• The A64 remains blocked with dozens of tractors and farmers from local agricultural groups.
• Demonstrators have stated, “We are prepared to remain here through Christmas.”
• An operation involving slow-moving tractors is also affecting traffic in the town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Julen Perez, a local farmer, highlighted the unprecedented scale of the mobilization, emphasizing fears regarding livestock culling protocols if disease spreads. A meeting is scheduled with the regional prefecture for Monday afternoon, where further protests are expected.

Dordogne: Gatherings Planned

• In Dordogne, farmers will convene at the Bachellerie toll on the A89 at 8 PM for an indefinite period.
• A separate rally is scheduled at the Cerf roundabout in Sanilhac on Monday at 11 AM, urging participants to bring tractors and trailers.

Gironde: Mobilization Efforts

In Gironde, weekend protests included a blockade near the Rives d’Arcins shopping center in Bordeaux. Farmers briefly established a checkpoint to raise awareness about meat culling, leading to further planned actions in the area.

Christophe Guénon, a local representative, criticized the government’s approach to meat culling, noting that thousands of healthy animals have been slaughtered since the onset of the disease. He called for immediate legislative action to halt these practices.

Continued Protests in Landes

Landes has seen ongoing protests since Saturday, particularly on departmental road D824, with farmers decrying the systematic culling policies. Additional blockades occurred throughout Sunday, highlighting the farmers’ determination to draw attention to their cause.

Conclusion: Farmers Unite for Action

This series of protests underscores the agricultural community’s deep concerns regarding state policies and the impact on livestock. Farmers across these regions are united in their demands for a reassessment of culling protocols amid rising tensions.

Upcoming actions, including potential blockades and demonstrations, are set to take place on December 15, further solidifying the farmers’ resolve to contest these measures.