French Prime Minister calls emergency meeting amid growing agricultural anger

Tuesday 16 - 08:30

By: Sahili Aya

French Prime Minister calls emergency meeting amid growing agricultural anger

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called a high-level meeting at Matignon on Tuesday morning to address rising tensions within the agricultural sector. The meeting brings together several cabinet ministers and regional prefects to assess the situation and coordinate the government’s response.

The agricultural community has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the handling of a contagious livestock disease affecting cattle farms, as well as opposition to the proposed trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries. Farmers argue that these issues threaten their livelihoods and increase pressure on an already fragile sector.

Ministers responsible for agriculture, interior affairs, justice, public finances, trade, and European affairs are expected to participate, alongside representatives from affected regions. Prefects from departments impacted by the animal health crisis have also been invited to provide updates from the field.

The government aims to evaluate containment measures, reinforce coordination between national and local authorities, and ease tensions with farming unions. This meeting reflects the authorities’ intention to prevent further escalation and restore dialogue with agricultural stakeholders.