Macron to Take French Farmers’ Grievances to EU President

President of France vows to push for the EU to soften environmental regulations that have sparked widespread protests across the country.

A French farmer takes part in a road block protest on the A4 highway next to a tractor with a placard reading "Death is in the field" near Jossigny, east of Paris, on Jan. 29, 2024, amid nationwide protests called by several farmers unions on pay, tax and regulations. Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to take the grievances aired by his country’s farmers to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

For the last few weeks, farmers across France have been calling on the government to reverse a range of uncompetitive regulations and laws that are harming their livelihoods.