Protesting farmers in France blocked trucks from accessing the English Channel crossing

According to him, demonstrators do not allow trucks with goods to enter the UK, “while allowing vehicles with tourists to pass through.”

It is noted that some sections of the A16 highway leading to the Eurotunnel were also blocked, but this did not affect traffic flow under the English Channel.

French farmers are dissatisfied with the fall in income as a result of increased imports of agricultural products from Ukraine to France. They are also seeking to simplify the bureaucratic procedures associated with EU requirements. As a sign of protest, they block roads with tractors and hold demonstrations in front of government buildings. According to farmers, protests should cover 85 of the country's 96 departments.

Earlier, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said he was sympathetic to the farmers' difficulties and promised that "the police and gendarmerie will not interfere as long as the protesters refrain from acts of vandalism."

According to analysts, France will face an acute shortage of farmers by 2030 due to the retirement of half of the farmers. At least 20 thousand farmers have ceased their activities over the past 10 years, while only 14 thousand have replaced them. The average age of agricultural workers exceeds 50 years, and there is no one to replace them, since only 1% of the country’s farmers are under 25 years old.