Le Figaro Lyon
It didn't take long for them to unsheathe the barnum, the tables and the firewood.
Around thirty tractors are blocking the A6 motorway north of Lyon, near the Limonest shopping center, in both directions of traffic.
Farmers from all over the Rhône department have settled in to spend the night there.
Another blockade is being held at the southern entrance to Lyon, on the A7 near Givors, before a situation update at 10 a.m. on Thursday, specifies the FDSEA in Le
Figaro
, while other actions are already planned on the axes of the Lyon metropolis.
Farmers have dumped wood and manure on the road, while other skips are still full.
AS/Le Figaro Lyon
“
We would like to make a living from our profession, to have a decent income in relation to the work provided
,” attacks Pascal Gouttenoire, departmental president of the agricultural union.
“
Die to feed you?
», asks a banner tied to the front of a tractor entering the highway at the start of the afternoon under a braggadocio of horns.
“
Dairies on the verge of disappearing
,” asserts another, echoing the accusations against Lactalis over the milk price negotiations, the spark that set off the movement throughout France.
Inflation on diesel
This producer from the Monts du Lyonnais describes how he has to show his teeth during each negotiation with Danone “
and even then, they are not the worst
”.
“
If the State had the courage to enforce the Egalim law correctly it would be a big step, but it does not want to act like a policeman
,” laments Pascal Gouttenoire.
This is why the negotiations are complicated at the moment
.”
Some Rhône breeders have the advantage of working with cooperatives that respect their work.
Located a few hamlets further away, in Courzieu, Matéo works with Sodial, which guarantees a price per 1000 liters “
50 euros higher than Lactalis
”.
But he says he is strangled by inflation.
Also read: Egalim law: the government will increase controls to ensure a decent income for farmers
“The
problem is the charges.
Diesel, tires, even tractors are untouchable now, we suffer from inflation, like everywhere.
"It doesn't really make you want to anymore, since setting up is expensive
," sighs the 24-year-old breeder who sells 650,000 liters of milk per year and processes 150,000.
“
I started four years ago and I paid 68 cents excluding tax for my first tank of GNR (the non-road diesel which powers agricultural machinery, editor's note), today it is 1.84.
It’s three times more
,” storms Romain, a 26-year-old Beaujolais winemaker.
And diesel, our slag from the Monts du Lyonnais uses “
200,000 liters per year
”.
Dairy farmers are demonstrating for a cheaper purchase of their production by manufacturers and mass retailers.
AS/Le Figaro Lyon
"Unfair competition"
“
We are angry at the government which does not assume its positions,”
protests Pascal Gouttenoire.
With Covid he spoke to us about food sovereignty but the Mercosur and Ceta agreements, with South and North America, have led to the importation of products that do not have the same standards
.”
Attacked in unison on the asphalt of the A6, “
unfair competition
” from abroad, it is the other fuse which has ignited the agricultural world.
“
In Spain producers work at 7 euros an hour compared to 15 here
,” compares Gérard, a young retiree from a red fruit farm passed on to his wife in Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise.
She still sells her strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants to Sicoly, a cooperative recognized in one of the leading red fruit producing departments;
but the loss of profitability makes him fear for the resumption of activity.
Traffic is closed in both directions on the A6 after the junction with the A89.
“The secondary roads are saturated,” warns the prefecture.
AS/Le Figaro Lyon
“
We would like simplification of paperwork and standards, at least equality of standards vis-à-vis Europe
,” insists Romain.
We have competition that is downright unfair, particularly in plant protection products
.”
“
Europe wants to go green, why not, we are not against it, but all countries must have the same standards
,” says Pascal Gouttenoire.
So many demands that will be repeated throughout the night on the deserted bitumen strip at the foot of the Monts d'Or.
While waiting for snail operations this Thursday, particularly east of Lyon.
As for the dumpsters filled with manure, they want to sound like a warning, which could spill onto other roads.
Motorists are invited to postpone their trips on Thursday, the Rhône prefecture has already warned.