France decided Thursday to grant its farmers additional financial help after about 4,500 farmers staged a protest, utilizing 1,500 tractors to block the city's major arteries into the capital. Coming from all over the country, the farmers took a stand against steadily falling incomes and rising costs.
French farmers have been struggling due to the effects of an embargo on western food products implemented by Russia. Together with a slump in prices, higher taxes, and stricter environmental protection rules, farmers in the country have found themselves at the losing end of the economy, according to BBC News.
Maxime Pilorget, a dairy farmer, said that he was losing hand over fist due to his income from selling his cow's milk being far less than the cost of producing it.
"Morally, the hardest thing is to be unable to make a living from my work," he said.
In response to the protest, French Prime Minister Valls stated that the government shall make it a priority to lift farmgate prices. Such a move would lessen the pressure on the pork, beef, and milk sectors, which are facing the most severe crises, reported Reuters.
Together with a plan to encourage additional support for investments in the farm sector, the government has also decided to freeze the adoption of new, stringent environmental standards.
"Our aim is to give new perspectives and hope to farmers," Valls said.
Check out more news about France's food and farm sector here.
