Desperate French farmers stage tractor protest in Paris over falling prices

Thousands of angry French farmers rode to the capital on Thursday on their tractors to slow traffic to take a stand against falling food prices and poor revenue.

About 1,733 tractors converged in the Nation Square earlier in the day. They denounced low margins on account of being squeezed by retailers and urged officials to take concrete action to help farmers avoid bankruptcy, FNSEA farmers union said.

The protest, which was expected to draw 5,000 farmers, was the latest demonstration after a week of massive protests in July that saw livestock farmers block cities, roads and tourist sites across France.

However, the police count at midday was 1,580 tractors, 91 bus and 58 vehicles.

"I understand the confusion, disarray of many small farmers who, after listening to all the rhetoric of food manufacturers, technicians of the FNSEA, now find themselves against a wall," Jose Bove, a European deputy and former farmer told Radio South.

"We really need to change agricultural policy, support farmers, but stop this logic of producing more to earn less. This is something that goes against common sense and quality of products for consumers," he added.

To help farmers' plight, the government adopted emergency measures on July 22 to support the domestic livestock sector. The government pledged it would restructure farmers' debts and alleviate the charges by unfreezing 600 million euros (674 million U. S. dollars) in favor of farmers in difficult situations.

A delegation representing farmers met with Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll in a bid to bridge gaps and come up with a response able to calm the anger of thousands of farmers.

"I think the response will be up to the challenges and expectations we make," Xavier Beulin, FNSEA head, told RTL radio. Endit