France’s Macron addresses farmer protests, urges caution in blaming EU policies
French President Emmanuel Macron defends the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and urged better regulation at the European Union level to address the challenges faced by farmers
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a state visit to Sweden, cautioned against solely attributing the challenges faced by farmers to EU policies. As agricultural workers protested across France and Europe, Macron emphasized the need to acknowledge both structural and cyclical issues within the industry.
“We did a lot in the last years to help,” Macron stated in Stockholm, adding, “It would be too easy to blame everything on Europe.” He addressed concerns such as poultry imports from Ukraine, urging better regulation at the European Union level.
The ongoing protests in France saw farmers maintaining roadblocks on key highways into Paris for the second consecutive day. Their discontent spans a range of issues, including prices, imports, and EU rules.
Macron defended the importance of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, stating that without it, French farmers would “have no revenue.” He called for a truthful assessment of the industry’s challenges. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity for the farming sector to adapt to stricter environmental regulations, cautioning against ‘agri-bashing.’
“We should not slip into ‘agri-bashing,’ but we also cannot say that we can go on doing like we did before,” Macron asserted. He acknowledged the excessive reliance on chemicals in European farming and highlighted ongoing efforts to transition to new practices.
In response to the concerns raised by farmers, Macron pledged to simplify rules to assist the agricultural sector and promised flexibility on certain regulations. “As from the first day of my mandate, I will continue to be by the side of our farmers,” he affirmed.
Additionally, Macron reassured French producers by expressing opposition to the extensive trade deal between the European Union and South American trading bloc Mercosur. He cited regulatory misalignment as the reason behind France’s stance and indicated that he would discuss the matter with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Furthermore, Macron addressed the destabilizing effect of Ukrainian poultry and cereals imports on the European market, pledging to discuss the issue with President von der Leyen. The President stressed the need to regulate and balance these imports for market stability.
Source: AFP
