As per reports, the Departmental Federation of Agricultural Operations Unions (FDSEA) of Bas-Rhin and the Young Farmers of Bas-Rhin launched protests and road blockade operations in parts of France on Tuesday (23 January), to denounce the new rules imposed on their profession such as rising taxes and restrictive standards, in particular environmental standards.
• The farmers announced protest actions in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), Beauvais (Oise), Agen (Lot-et-Garonne) and Carbonne (Haute-Garonne) for Tuesday (23 January).
• At 0545 hours (local time) Tuesday (23 January), a car coming from Toulouse and heading towards Andorra on the RN 20 crashed into a wall of straw bales as the demonstrators were resting, hitting three people. One person was dead while two others were seriously injured due to the incident. The three people on board the vehicle were taken into police custody. The Young Farmers and the FDSEA of Ariège lifted the blockage of the N20 following the incident.
• On Tuesday (23 January) afternoon, about a hundred demonstrators gathered on the Quai du Why-Pas, in Lorient to oppose the visit of Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN) Party, who had come to meet the fishermen. Several left-wing political organizations were also present during the protest.
• As of 1715 hours (local time) Tuesday (23 January), significant traffic jams were reported around Quimper due to the blocking of the RN 165 by farmers from Troyalac’h to Park Poullig. Due to the demonstrations, the RN 165 was blocked in several sectors near Quimper.
• Between Wednesday (24 January) and Thursday (25 January), around 400 tractors are expected to protest on the A35 motorway, near the Cronenbourg interchange, within the Strasbourg Eurometropolis. The demonstration is scheduled to begin around 1500 hours (local time) on Wednesday (24 January) for a period of 24 hours. The tractors are expected to leave their respective cantons from 1200 hours (local time) on Wednesday (24 January).
• Further, taxi drivers of Haute-Garonne announced that they will join the mobilization of farmers in Haute-Garonne and in neighboring departments scheduled for Wednesday (24 January), as part of the day of mobilization scheduled across France. Authorities warn that traffic in Toulouse and its surrounding area is likely to be severely disrupted between 1100-1800 hours (local time), particularly in the city center on the ring road in the airport-city center direction.