China News Service, Paris, January 29 (Reporter Li Yang) French farmers' protests continue to ferment. Protesting farmers used agricultural vehicles to block many roads in the suburbs of Paris on the 29th local time. French officials stepped up their response and sought to calm the situation as soon as possible.
According to French media reports, the French Agricultural Operators Union and other organizations announced earlier that day that they would set up eight blockade points on the outskirts of Paris and use agricultural vehicles to block eight highways leading to Paris. French BFM TV station said that as of 6 o'clock that night, six blockade points had been set up and serious congestion occurred on relevant road sections. The traffic department in the outer suburbs of Paris issued road condition reminders and called on people to avoid relevant road sections.
French Prime Minister Attal held talks with representatives of relevant agricultural organizations at the Prime Minister's Office that night to discuss ways to solve the problem, including how to meet the demands of protesting farmers. As of press time, the talks were still ongoing. A French government spokesman said that officials are considering announcing more measures to respond to farmers' demands on the 30th.
Protesting farmers have blocked roads with agricultural vehicles in southern France for several days. Attal announced a series of concessions during his visit to southern France last weekend, but organizations such as the French Federation of Agricultural Operators' Unions still believe that the government's concessions are not enough.
French officials plan to deploy 15,000 police and gendarmes to respond to farmers' protests near Paris. Interior Minister Darmanin asked police to exercise restraint against protesting farmers. But he warned the protesting farmers not to affect the operation of major public services, especially Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.
The EU's new common agricultural policy is believed to have triggered dissatisfaction among farmers in many EU countries, including France, and is one of the "triggers" for the farmers' protests. French President Macron will go to Brussels, Belgium to attend the EU summit early next month, where he will hold talks with European Commission President von der Leyen. It is widely expected that agricultural issues are likely to be the focus of the talks between the two. (over)