Fifty French farmers arrested after entering ministry building

"Fifty protesting farmers were detained in the French capital on Wednesday after forcing their way into an agricultural ministry building, in a sign of rage at the government's response to the sector's grievances. Farmers have since December staged protests and set up roadblocks over the government's handling of a lumpy skin disease outbreak in cattle, as well as broader discontent over France's agricultural policy."

"Around 100 members of the Confederation Paysanne union entered a section of the ministry, which they occupied for an hour to denounce the government's agricultural policy. Police said 50 people were arrested and taken into custody for "disturbing public order" along with several "criminal offences". Confederation Paysanne reported 52 people in police custody and called for a gathering in front of a police station in northern Paris to denounce the government's "constant contempt" for farmers."

""The agricultural ministry has filed a complaint against a peaceful action carried out without any violence," the union said in a statement, calling for the release of the activists. Lecornu said on Tuesday he had tasked his Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard to prepare "an emergency agriculture bill" to address farmers' concerns. This bill would be "focused on several priorities: water, predation, and production resources" and be presented by the start of an agricultural show next month, he added on X."

Fifty farmers were detained in Paris after about 100 Confederation Paysanne members forced their way into the agriculture ministry and occupied part of it to denounce government policy. Farmers have staged protests and roadblocks since December over the handling of a lumpy skin disease outbreak in cattle and broader agricultural grievances. Police said 50 people were arrested; Confederation Paysanne reported 52 in custody and called for a gathering in front of a police station. The government plans an emergency agriculture bill focused on water, predation and production resources to be presented before an agricultural show, but unions say the bill does not meet their demands.

Read at The Local France