Paris under siege: Farmers blockade city over climate mandates

French farmers have blocked the entrances to Paris in protest of climate mandates enforced by the government targeting agricultural businesses.

The siege is an escalation of months of protests after European Union politicians signed a law in November to “restore nature.” The law requires EU countries to restore at least 20% of the bloc’s land and seas by 2030. This includes restoring 30% of “damaged ecosystems” by the end of the decade, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050.

In France, the Macron administration is working toward these goals by implementing climate restrictions such as requiring farmers to leave 4% of their land lying fallow. The government also proposed cutting back on subsidies for agricultural diesel, though this was dropped after farmers nationwide began protesting the new regulations, high taxes, and poor working conditions.

The demonstrations first started in December when farmers used tractors to dump massive piles of manure on government buildings and turn signposts upside down.

On Monday, convoys of tractors besieged the city by blocking major roads with eight choke points. They blockaded the A13 highway to the capital’s west, the A6 to the south and the A4 to the east, reported France 24.

“We need answers,” said farmer Karine Duc, who joined the protests. “This is the final battle for farming. It’s a question of survival.”

Some farmers attached banners of protest to their tractors. “Too many taxes, too many rules, no income to live on,” read one.

In response to the siege, the government has deployed 15,000 police and armored vehicles to protect the city and key landmarks such as airports. President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with several ministers Monday afternoon.

Though Macron has reportedly been negotiating with leaders in the agricultural industry, farmers say it is not enough.

“The prime minister has given us nibbles, and now we’d like him to work a bit harder and give us more,” said FNSEA head Arnaud Lepoil, FNSEA is France’s largest farmers’ union.

While French farmers are struggling, the government is importing food from Ukraine and South America, sparking accusations of unfair competition.

Farmers in other countries such as Germany, Poland, Belgium, Romania, and the Netherlands have also taken to the streets in response to the EU’s nature restoration law, though no sieges have been reported.