Last update 10:00 22 November 2024
The rural coordination of Lot-et-Garonne (CR47) ended its blockade of the commercial port of Bordeaux on Friday morning, 22 November. The port, the seventh largest in France in terms of goods traffic, had been paralysed since Wednesday evening, with around 150 farmers and 50 tractors involved.
The last tractors left before 8:00 am.
Despite the end of the blockade in Bordeaux, protests continue in other locations. Farmers remain stationed at the Aldi distribution centre in Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe, while another group has shifted its efforts to the Carrefour distribution centre in Colomiers, near Toulouse.
🔴 POINT SUR LES MOBILISATIONS DANS L’AVEYRON
Depuis mardi : la #CR est à saint Sulpice sur la plateforme Aldi où nous ne laissons aucun camion passer (80 par jour).
Aujourd’hui, certains tarnais restent pour tenir Aldi et d’autres partent pour Colomiers centrale d’achat de… pic.twitter.com/YWyWqY5QBp— Coordination Rurale (@coordinationrur) November 22, 2024
The organisers have called for reinforcements and urged people to join the protests, even if only by car or van, as they continue their campaign against the “abusive margins” of the major retailers.
On the fourth day of the protests, French farmers blocked the commercial port of Bordeaux, disrupting operations to protest against the EU-Mercosur trade deal and ‘abusive margins’ by distributors.
Originally posted 10:40 am 21 Nov 2024
On Thursday morning, farmers continued their blockade of the Leclerc purchasing center in Beychac-et-Caillau, while members of the Rural Coordination of Lot-et-Garonne arrived in Bordeaux to block the commercial port in Bassens. The protests have caused significant disruptions, with tractors and trailers blocking access to the Grand Port Maritime, the country’s seventh-largest port for goods traffic.
BLOCAGE DU PORT DE BORDEAUX
La Coordination Rurale sur le terrain #CoordinationRurale #AgriculteursEnColère #AgricultureEnDanger #CriseAgricole #AgricultureFrançaise #UrgenceAgricole #CR #bonsenspaysan #levoteutile #NONauMERCOSUR #CR47 pic.twitter.com/AiViGlpgeH— Coordination Rurale (@coordinationrur) November 21, 2024
Farmers argue that the trade deal will allow imports of South American agricultural products that do not meet the same standards as French produce, threatening their livelihoods. Karine Duc, a union official, stated that the blockade is planned to continue throughout the night and possibly longer until the government provides a written commitment to address their concerns.
🚨 PORT DE BORDEAUX BLOQUÉ !
José Perez et la Coordination rurale bloquent actuellement le port de Bordeaux. Plusieurs autres points stratégiques sont également bloqués.#RevoltePaysanne pic.twitter.com/d83tSnnMcD
— Résistance Paysanne (@ResistPaysans) November 20, 2024
The protests have spread to other regions, with farmers in Toulouse planning to block roads next week to express their discontent with the trade agreement. The French government has pledged to oppose the deal, but farmers remain unsatisfied with the current measures.