Farmers in France stage roadblock protests near Paris due to declining incomes

French farmers have initiated a movement called the "siege of Paris," where they are mobilizing hundreds of tractors to block key routes into the city. The farmers claim that they are suffering from decreasing incomes, strict environmental regulations, excessive bureaucracy, and competition from imported goods. To prevent the tractors from entering the capital and other cities, the French authorities have deployed 15,000 police officers. Similar protests have emerged throughout the country, while hundreds of thousands of farmers have also blocked major highways to Paris. Meanwhile, demonstrations in support of the farmers have taken place in Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. The protesting farmers argue that they cannot afford to engage in cheap farming practices and must be able to make a decent living from their trade. Despite referring to their actions as "a siege of Paris," the farmers' unions have allowed secondary roads to the city to remain accessible. Their main objective is to disrupt food deliveries to supermarkets, although officials have cautioned against this. For now, police have been ordered not to interfere, and no disruptions or disorder have been reported. The head of France's largest farmers' union, Arnaud Rousseau, stated that their ultimate goal is to pressure the government into quickly resolving the standoff. Rousseau also proclaimed that the protests will persist throughout France with the objective of securing emergency measures, particularly pertaining to food prices and equal regulations. In response to the blockades, the French government spokeswoman, Prisca Thevenot, announced that new measures will be unveiled on Tuesday, in addition to those declared last week. These previous measures included the cancellation of a planned fuel tax increase and increased support for farmers whose livestock falls ill. To address the agriculture industry and EU-wide assistance for farmers, French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday, as confirmed by the Elysée Palace.