25 Jan 2024 | 02:18 PM UTC
France: Farmers continue roadblock protests nationwide, as of Jan. 25 /update 3
Farmers staging roadblock protests across France, as of Jan. 25, and unions plan blockades around Paris, Jan. 26. Disruptions intensifying.
Unionized farmers are forming multiple roadblocks nationwide, as of Jan. 25. Agricultural groups are demanding increased investment in the sector. As of Jan. 25, farmers have established several dozen roadblocks on motorways and other major routes nationwide. Convoys of slow-moving vehicles have also converged on major cities, including Nantes, Nimes, Rennes, and Strasbourg, Jan. 24-25.
Farmers' groups announced Jan. 25 that the demonstrations would escalate further Jan. 26. Union leaders have called for roadblock protests on motorways in the Ile-de-France region around Paris, including on the A1, A6, A10-11, A13, and A15 routes. It is not known whether the traffic will be fully or partially impacted, or how long the disruptions will continue. Further roadblocks and slow-moving convoys are likely nationwide at little or no notice.
The protests and related security measures are causing severe delays on the affected motorways, and consequent congestion on nearby diversions. The actions are likely to proceed peacefully. This action follows similar events in Bordeaux, Toulouse, and other French cities in recent months. Further protests are likely.
Follow local travel advice. Avoid the demonstrations as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security services.
This most recent campaign by agricultural workers started Jan. 16, when over 1,000 farmers in around 400 tractors formed slow-moving convoys and protested in central Toulouse.
The roadblocks then started in the Occitanie Region Jan. 18, with a major protest closing the A64 motorway 30 km (20 miles) south of Toulouse, near Carbonne. Agricultural workers then established other smaller protests at motorway junctions across the Occitanie Region.
As of Jan. 23, farmers had established major roadblock protests on motorways in other regions including Auvergne Rhone Alpes (A7 motorway, near Saint-Rambert-d’Albon), Hauts-de-France (A16 motorway, near Beauvais), and Nouvelle Acquitaine (A62 motorway near Agen).
