French Farmers Protest as Controversial Agriculture Bill Ignites Political Clash

Hundreds of farmers descended on Paris on Monday, bringing their tractors - and their frustration - straight to the gates of the French National Assembly.

Their aim was to back a controversial bill proposed by right-wing legislator Laurent Duplomb.

The Duplomb agriculture bill aims to alleviate what those in the farming sector view as oppressive regulations. administrative constraints.

This would simplify the process of acquiring construction permits for animal husbandry units and water storage systems, and allow the provisional reintroduction of specific pesticides like acetamiprid; a type of neonicotinoid insecticide prohibited in France since 2018.

Although permitted in other EU nations, acetamiprid has sparked concerns among environmental activists and beekeepers because of its effects on pollinator species and possible adverse health impacts on people.

The bill was scheduled for debate, followed by a vote in the lower house of parliament on Monday.

But opposition lawmakers, mostly from the green and left-wing parties , submitted approximately 3,500 amendments in an effort to postpone the discussions.

With debate threatened by legislative gridlock, centrist, conservative, and far-right lawmakers passed a motion to dismiss debating the bill in parliament.

The proposal will now be handed over to a combined committee consisting of seven senators and seven Members of Parliament (MPs), with the majority supporting the farmers' requests.

The committee needs to reach consensus on a unified version which will subsequently undergo a final voting process by Members of Parliament—this round, with no opportunity for any modifications.

This action has angered those on the left, who have declared their intention to submit a no-confidence motion against the administration as retaliation.

What everyone desires is simply to live and make it through

For numerous farmers attending the demonstration, this legislation offers an opportunity to alleviate growing financial and bureaucratic burdens.

Clément Patoir, a 19-year-old grains farmer, explained how cumbersome bureaucracy is pushing young individuals away from agriculture.

Nowadays, there are diminishing numbers of young individuals interested in pursuing farming as a career. Children of these farmers frequently encounter stories of their parents grappling with various regulations. Farming is a complex profession; it involves lengthy working hours and does not always guarantee fair compensation.

"Most French farmers are struggling to make ends meet. We all aspire to thrive rather than just get by. Therefore, less red tape and more simplicity would be greatly welcomed," Patoir stated to Euronews.

A young sugar beet farmer named Pierrick mentioned that the bill aims at sustaining current production rates. Many sugar beet and hazelnut growers view the acetamiprid insecticide as crucial.

"Currently, every approach to maximize output is slowly slipping away from us. Moreover, we constantly face bureaucratic hurdles that pile onto our tasks... Yet, to sustain our current productivity levels, there isn’t an effective solution available nowadays," he stated.

Proponents of the legislation believe that relaxing regulations will be essential for preventing dependence on imported goods and maintaining the competitiveness of France's farming industry.

However, environmental advocates and leftist politicians view the legislation as risky. In Paris, where people convened to protest against it, Gabriel Bertein—a left-leaning mayor—was present. He cautioned about potential long-lasting harm to biodiversity and soil quality.

“If such legislation were to pass, it would indicate that we are regressing. It would pave the way for increased usage of pesticides known to pose risks to living beings,” he said to Euronews as a crowd of farmers interrupted him.

He mentioned that public funds ought to be redirected towards supporting environmentally friendly agricultural methods.

There is an immediate necessity to cease supporting and funding a form of intensive farming that is headed in the wrong direction. We urgently need to alter our course and concentrate on these issues.

Protests are also scheduled for next week in Brussels, aimed at the EU’s environmental rules and green policy agenda.

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