The Hypocrisy of French Farmers’ Protests
French farmers have been staging nationwide protests over low food prices, high taxes, and excessive regulations. They have blocked roads, bridges, and tolls, dumped manure and produce on public buildings and supermarkets, and hung effigies of dead farmers from tractors. They claim that they are facing a crisis that threatens their livelihoods and the rural way of life. However, their protests are hypocritical and unjustified for several reasons:
They are not the poorest or the most vulnerable: French farmers enjoy generous subsidies and protections from the European Union and the French government. They receive about 9 billion euros per year from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, which accounts for about 40% of their income. They also benefit from various tax breaks, social security schemes, and price guarantees. They are not the poorest segment of the French population, nor the most exposed to global competition. In fact, they are among the most privileged and influential groups in France, with a strong lobby and political representation. However, they also face many challenges, such as low prices for their products, high production costs, environmental regulations, and competition from cheaper imports. They have been protesting across the country, demanding more support and recognition from the government, as well as better protection against foreign trade deals. They claim that their way of life and identity are under threat, and that they are not adequately compensated for the quality and sustainability of their produce. They argue that they are essential for the food security, rural development, and cultural heritage of France.
They are not the most sustainable or the most quality-oriented: French farmers often portray themselves as the guardians of the environment and the producers of high-quality food. However, their practices are not always consistent with these claims. Many of them use intensive farming methods that rely on pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics, which harm the soil, water, and biodiversity. They also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Moreover, they are not always able to meet the demand or the standards of the consumers, who increasingly prefer organic, local, and diversified products . They often resort to importing cheap inputs or products from other countries, which undermines their argument of defending the French terroir . On the other hand, some of them are trying to adopt more sustainable and quality-oriented practices, such as carbon farming, agroecology, and organic farming . They hope to improve their environmental and economic performance, as well as their social and cultural recognition. They also aim to preserve and promote the diversity and richness of the French gastronomy and agriculture.
They are not the most fair or the most cooperative: French farmers often accuse the government, the retailers, and the foreign competitors of being unfair and abusive. They demand more support, more regulation, and more protection from the state and the EU. However, they are not always fair or cooperative themselves. They often engage in violent and illegal actions that disrupt the public order and the economy. They also oppose any reform or innovation that could improve their efficiency or competitiveness. They resist the opening of the market to other producers, especially from developing countries, who could offer cheaper and better products. They ignore the interests and the rights of the consumers, the taxpayers, and the other sectors of the society. On the contrary, they sometimes benefit from the solidarity and generosity of other actors, such as the World Food Programme, which launched a mechanism with France to buy food surpluses from French farmers and distribute them to countries in need. They also receive praise and admiration from some segments of the public, who see them as the defenders of the French culture and identity. They have a strong influence on the political agenda, as they are able to mobilize and pressure the government and the EU to meet their demands.
Conclusion
The French farmers’ protests are not a legitimate expression of distress, but a selfish and hypocritical attempt to preserve their privileges and monopolize the market. They do not represent the future of agriculture, but the past. They do not deserve more sympathy or support, but more criticism and accountability. They should stop blocking the roads and start adapting to the changing world.
