NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
Protests by farmers have continued, in Brittany and neighbouring Normandy today.
Major roads have been blocked (again) near Caen (Normandy) and the border between Brittany and Normandy at Mount Saint Michael.
The French governments Agriculture Minister, Stéphane le Foll, who yesterday was dragging his heels over meeting farmers representatives had no choice but to hastily arrange a meeting with farmers representatives in Caen this afternoon (21-7-2015). It was indicative of the intense anger that the Minister could only meeting under protection of a considerable police presence provided by the CRS.
Apparently the Agriculture Minister tried to be contrite and apologised for being a slow to respond. He said that farmers’ requests were clear and all those involved had to stick to the terms of the agreement on prices.
But it is clear that the French Government has no long term plan to address Farmers grievances and the downturn in prices is in part caused by agricultural products from Germany and other States being dumped in France since the Russian Federation imposed a tit for tat embargo on EU agricultural products because of sanctions imposed following the Ukraine crisis. That is likely over coming months to further exacerbate matters.
There has never been so bad a time for Breton farmers than over this past year. Resentment and anger are at boiling point in Brittany where agriculture constitutes a major part of the economy.
https://www.europe1.fr/economie/eleveurs-caen-toujours-bloquee-1369360
(Source material for this article once again provided by our Breton colleague – many thanks)
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League
21/07/15
THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE
The Celtic League was established in 1961and has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues
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