French farmers, who have always been a powerful factor in French politics, have long complained of being hit by a price war between retailers, which has benefited consumers while hurting producers. A “field-to-fork” law adopted early last month sought to ease the burden. One of the key measures, a 10-percent increase in the price floor for food products, was initially due to be adopted at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
But Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume said that mass demonstrations led by the so-called “yellow vest” movement, shocking the country since Nov. 17, had forced the government to postpone the decision. Guillaume said the decision would be implemented by the government in January or February, before the end of annual price negotiations with supermarkets that started last month.
France’s largest farm union FNSEA had warned farmers would see a delay in the adoption of the measures as a “disastrous signal”. The union on Wednesday called for protests all next week to denounce the delay as well as excessive taxes and what they call increasing hostility toward farmers.
“We are not joining the movement of yellow vests, we will express the difficulties specific to the agricultural sector,” an FNSEA spokeswoman told Reuters.
French retailers federation FCD, which includes big names like Carrefour and Casino, also urged the government to adopt the measures as fast as possible because they needed time to adapt, stressing the need to implement them before the close of negotiations with suppliers.
The “yellow vest” protests began last month with the aim of highlighting the squeeze on household spending from increased taxes on fuel, but have tapped into growing discontent over French government policy.