Farm protests: Bruno Retailleau sets clear limits

As a wave of agricultural demonstrations gets underway this Sunday, November 17, particularly against the free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has reminded us of the red lines that these mobilizations must not cross.

A strict framework to guarantee public order
Speaking on RTL, Bruno Retailleau stressed that while the right to demonstrate is a constitutional freedom, it comes with responsibilities. “There are limits: no damage to property, no damage to people, and no prolonged blockades. In the event of prolonged blockades, we will apply zero tolerance,” he warned.

The Minister specified that in the event of a critical situation, mobile forces would intervene to restore free circulation. Nevertheless, he recalled that he had held talks this week with agricultural union leaders to avoid any escalation.

Multiple actions, but no prolonged blockades
For his part, Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA, listed over 80 mobilizations planned between Sunday afternoon and the beginning of the week. He assured us, however, that these actions would not include any major blockades, but could result in temporary slowdowns on certain roads.

On the other hand, Coordination Rurale, another farmers’ union, is planning to step up the intensity if the demands remain unanswered. Its president, Véronique Le Floc’h, has announced a “blockade of food freight” from Wednesday November 20, targeting the logistics platforms of major retailers.

Farmers and railway workers, two distinct contexts
At the same time, railway workers are also organizing to defend their interests, with a one-day strike scheduled for November 21 and an unlimited strike planned for December 11. Bruno Retailleau, however, rejected any comparison between the two movements.

“Farmers are fighting for their economic survival, while some railway workers are indulging in a routine ‘gréviculture’,” he said. In his view, some railway workers “regularly take the French people hostage”, a practice he considers unacceptable. “Faced with this, we have to be firm.”

Between farm protests and social movements in other sectors, the week promises to be a tense one, but the government seems determined to maintain order while leaving room for dialogue.