A heightened level of tension unfolded near Paris as dozens of farmers descended on Rungis, a crucial food distribution hub, resulting in approximately 91 farmers being arrested. The French government had previously warned against disrupting activities at Rungis, known as “the belly of Paris,” as it supplies fresh produce to around 12 million people daily. The farmers aimed to impede food deliveries to supermarkets, advocating for improved pay and reduced bureaucratic hurdles. Rungis, the second-largest market of its kind globally, witnessed protests escalating as farmers sought to voice their grievances.
In anticipation of the protests, police units, including armored vehicles, were deployed along the A6 motorway leading to the market. Checkpoints were established around access points to maintain order. The farmers, upon reaching the market, entered the storage area, causing damage before being removed by security forces. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez emphasized that disturbances to public order would not be tolerated.
Convoys of farmers’ tractors, part of the “siege of Paris,” had been blocking key roads into the French capital over the preceding week. This unrest is part of a broader European trend, with farmers in Germany, Poland, Romania, Belgium, and Italy staging demonstrations. Arnaud Rousseau, head of FNSEA, France’s primary agricultural union, acknowledged the significant expectations among farmers but highlighted the challenges of immediate fulfillment of all demands. The ongoing protests present a challenge for French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who assumed office three weeks ago. Attal pledged government readiness to resolve the crisis and announced forthcoming support measures for the agriculture sector.