French farmers deranged a Paris farm fair on Saturday just before President Emmanuel Macron’s visit as they expressed frustration over expenses, bureaucratic hurdles, and environmental regulations.
The farmers voiced their dissatisfaction loudly as they faced a contingent of police inside the trade fair officers and called for the resignation of Macron.
They shouted, “This is our home!”. The farmers clashed with French CRS riot police attempting to control the demonstration. Witnesses reported some fights and one protester was arrested.
Pascal Beteille, a participant in the demonstration, expressed doubt about any positive outcomes from Macron’s visit.
After meeting with French farmers’ union leaders, Emmanuel Macron, scheduled to tour the trade fair after meeting with French farmers union leaders.
“I’m saying this for all farmers: you’re not helping any of your colleagues, you’re not helping any of your colleagues by making the show impossible, and in a way scaring families away from coming,” Macron told reporters.
The protests caused a delay in opening the show to the public by at least an hour. Macron announced plans to convene farmers’ union representatives and other stakeholders at the Elysee Palace in three weeks
Macron denied reports of inviting the controversial environmentalist group Soulevements de la Terre to the debate, a move that further angered French farmers.
The heated discussion between Macron and demonstrators was broadcast live on French news channels.
The Paris Farm Show, an event in France, attracts around 600,000 visitors over nine days and serves as a political platform for leaders to engage with the public under intense media scrutiny.
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