Full chaos at the fair - farmers in fights

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Agriculture 

 

Macron in debate with farmers after violent opening of agricultural fair 

 

Ellen Sundstrom  

 

Updated 13.44 | Published 10.49 

 

        

         French farmers protest at the agricultural fair. Photo: Ludovic Marin/AP 

 

Chaos reigns at France's agricultural fair.  

 

Demonstrators and police have clashed, and manure is dumped around France, including in Puy-en-Velay.  

 

The organizers of France's national agricultural fair, Salon de l'agriculture, had to postpone the opening of the fair due to clashes between protesters and police, French BFM TV writes with reference to AFP.

 

The fair, which is held in the city of Versailles just outside Paris, was able to open its gates at 10:30 a.m., an hour and a half late. However, the fair itself could not be inaugurated yet.  

 

After the violence, French President Emmanuel Macron was able to start discussions with the farmers, who have recently protested and rebelled in order to improve the working conditions of French farmers. The debate lasted two hours and Macron promised, among other things, a minimum price for both buyers and sellers in the agricultural sector, which was one of the demands of the unions, writes Le Monde.

 

At 12 o'clock, the police had to close entrances to parts of the fair after people tried to disrupt Macron's visit.  

 

After the debate, Macron was able to inaugurate the fair at 1:30 p.m. to the sound of people booing and whistling in the background.  

 

Dumped manure  

 

Videos on social media show French farmers dumping loads of manure outside a government building in the southern French town of Puy-en-Velay, at the urging of trade unions.  

 

There are also videos of how farmers at the fair throw water at the country's President Emmanuel Macron's delegation with the help of a fire hose.  

 

        

         Emmanuel Macron talks to the farmers. Photo: Ludovic Marin/AP  

 

"Firm and robust way"  

 

Macron writes at 10 o'clock on X, formerly Twitter, that he has committed to "recognize our agriculture and our food as a matter of national interest for France", in connection with the visit to the fair.  

 

He also writes that he will protect the country's agriculture "in a firm and robust way". 

 

Photo: Ludovic Marin/AP