The farmers are demanding greater government action to address issues such as insufficient income, bureaucratic hurdles, and environmental policies they argue undermine their competitiveness.

The farmers initiated highway blockades at 2:00 pm, starting with the A13 to the west of Paris and the A4 to the east. Their objective is to create eight chokepoints on major roads leading into Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to advocate for more pro-farming policies at an upcoming EU leaders' summit on Thursday. However, farmers' organizations argue that the concessions made by the government, including dropping plans to reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel, are insufficient.

Farmers have been employing tractors and trucks to block roads, causing significant disruptions to traffic. The head of France's largest farming organization, Arnaud Rousseau, highlighted the importance of bringing the protest closer to Paris to ensure their message resonates.

The French government has deployed 15,000 police and paramilitary gendarmes to address the protests. While Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin urged security forces to show restraint, he also warned farmers against interfering with strategic locations.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, during a visit to a farm on Sunday, acknowledged farmers' concerns and pledged to clarify and consider additional measures. The government is eager to prevent the discontent from spreading further, especially ahead of the European Parliament elections in June.

The farmers' grievances echo in neighboring countries, with similar protests emerging in Belgium and other European nations in recent weeks. The farmers' collective action seeks to draw attention to their plight, demanding changes to policies affecting their livelihoods. (ILKHA)