Anger of farmers: from the Millau Viaduct to the city center, discontent does not abate

Les tracteurs ont traversé le Viaduc de Millau. Midi libre – Maxime Cohen

Vendredi 26 janvier, les agriculteurs aveyronnais ont porté leur colère sur le viaduc de Millau avant  de descendre perturber les rues du centre-ville.

On Thursday, the tractors had scoured the north of the A75 from Sévérac-d'Aveyron. This Friday, January 26, they chose the South and the emblematic Millau Viaduct to slow down traffic on the main road axis of Aveyron. The convoy of tractors on the highway was notable for its slowness. Behind, the more time passed, the longer the line of vehicles grew, without the motorists showing their discontent with abnormally dense traffic on this route appreciated for its tranquility in normal times.

#AgriculteursEnColere #Aveyron
Traversée du Viaduc de Millau pour le convoi aveyronnais ! pic.twitter.com/uOti8vJqaS

— Midi Libre Millau Sud-Aveyron (@MidiLibreMillau) January 26, 2024

Strong symbolism

The (very) low average speed gave time for the clouds concentrated above Millau to dissipate to offer beautiful images once the convoy launched on the structure which will celebrate its 20th anniversary years this year. The symbolism is therefore strong for this movement which, it seems, will not run out of steam tomorrow. 

🔴🚜 La sous-préfecture de Millau « décorée » par le convoi des agriculteurs en ville ! pic.twitter.com/qRrrQMxMWN

— Midi Libre Millau Sud-Aveyron (@MidiLibreMillau) January 26, 2024

Overall, this speech, although eagerly awaited on the part of the farmers, disappoints the small group present at the Sévéragaise base while waiting for the return of the rest of the convoy. "We want to stop free trade. If we don't have the same standards as in other countries, we have to tax, we are slowly killing quality", regrets Christophe surrounded by colleagues which abound in its meaning.

Also read:"We can't do it anymore", "we are ready to go far"… at the heart of the anger of the farmers from Vendargues to Montpellier

Continuation of the movement this Saturday

Also read: Anger of farmers: José Bové calls to remain "peaceful" to "keep the support of public opinion"

In South Aveyron, the fifty tractors which paraded this Friday will not leave the Sévérac roundabout straight away. After the debriefing and the video with the national management of the Agricultural Federation, the local representatives came out of their reserves. "We found the list very incomplete, we clearly expected more, a lot of things are missing, regrets Julien Tranier. We'll continue, we'll be there. We maintain the two blocking points and we will advise how to continue." Disappointed, but not dejected by this exit of the Prime Minister who nevertheless announced alongside the agris.

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