PARIS: The Paris police body said on Sunday it was increasing security around the Rungis food market near the capital and Roissy airport, ahead of a planned farmers’ protest, following instructions from Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

“In accordance with the instructions of Gerald Darmanin, a major police presence is being set up around Rungis and Roissy to prevent any attempts to block access to them,” said the police on its social media account.

French television showed images of armoured police cars taking up position at Rungis.

Meanwhile, the French government may give further help to the country’s farmers, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Sunday, after agricultural leaders said nationwide protests to demand better pay and living conditions would continue.

Farmers in France, the European Union’s biggest agricultural producer, have complained of unfair competition from rivals in more lightly regulated countries. Over the last week, they have set up roadblocks on motorways to highlight their cause. They have also damaged property, including local government offices.

France’s protests follow similar action in other European countries, including Germany and Poland, ahead of European elections in June in which the far right — for whom farmers represent a growing constituency — are predicted to make gains.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen — President Emmanuel Macron’s closest opponent in the 2017 and 2022 elections — visited some of those demonstrating in northern France. “We have got to get our farming out of these free trade agreements,” she said.

On Friday, the government dropped plans to gradually reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel, and announced other steps to reduce the financial and administrative pressures farmers face. Nevertheless, many farmers want more. “We will look at any other measures we can take regarding those aspects of unfair competition,” Attal said on Sunday.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2024