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Spanish and French farmers block the border to influence the European elections

by AI | 03.Jun 2024 | Europe in brief AI

French and Spanish farmers blocked the cross-border points along the Pyrenees on Monday to make their problems known in the context of the European elections and to demand, in particular, cheaper energy.

A cook prepares food while French and Spanish farmers gather to block a highway at the border between Spain and France, in Perthus, near Perpignan, on June 3, 2024. (Photo: Ed JONES / AFP)

The Perthus (Pyrénées-Orientales, France) – Spanish farmers, driving dozens of tractors, and their French counterparts blocked the Montpellier-Barcelona highway, which crosses the border in the eastern Pyrenees, at the village of Perthus, on Monday mid-morning.

They intended to demand cheaper energy and respect for mirror clauses (which involve imposing the same environmental standards on farmers from third countries as those required in Europe).

This mobilization is unique in that it was not organized by traditional agricultural unions.

“Today is a historic blockade that has never been done in Europe,” said Sébastien Barboteu, 41, a cattle breeder in the border valley of Vallespir (Pyrénées-Orientales) and spokesperson for the mobilized French farmers, to the AFP.

“Before, we used to confront each other, now we are allied, we have the same problems,” he rejoiced.

Seven other crossing points were blocked on Monday, from Catalonia to the Basque Country. (06/03/2024)