Protesting farmers have France's government in a bind
PARIS (AP) — Farmers have captured France’s attention by showering government offices with manure and besieging Paris with traffic-snarling barricades of tractors and hay bales.
The farmers say their protests aren’t a moment too soon. Grievances have long been brewing in the European Union’s leading agricultural power.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused painful economic shocks, including higher costs, bringing farmers’ anger to a head in France and other European countries. Climate change and pressure for more sustainable and more productive agriculture are also squeezing the 500,000 or so French farmers, who already have to compete against counterparts from far afield.
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WHY ARE FARMERS PROTESTING?
Protesters say it’s becoming harder than ever to make a decent living from their fields, greenhouses and herds. For the worst off, it’s impossible.
https://apnews.com/article/france-farmers-protests-macron-explainer-e57ff0b4a4e1d4c11460a10825d71fb1