After a Christmas pause in their protests, farmers are resuming their mobilizations across France this Monday, January 5, 2026. And their anger remains just as intense. The main issues: widespread culling of livestock due to contagious nodular dermatitis, and the looming prospect of a free trade agreement with Mercosur, which could be signed with the European Union as soon as January 12.
In an effort to de-escalate tensions, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to meet with farmers' unions this Monday and Tuesday. The Coordination Rurale (CR) has already called for a significant protest on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Paris. On France Info, its president Bertrand Venteau confirmed that a tractor convoy is being organized to head to the capital. “Peaceful convoys are forming to march on Paris,” he explained this Monday morning, adding that some tractors had already crossed the Loire River earlier today. However, “the main group” of protesters is expected to depart on Tuesday, according to the union leader.
At this point, it’s still unclear how widespread this new farmers' protest will be or what the route of the demonstration in Paris will look like. However, the Rural Coordination is planning a large gathering. “If they aren’t blocked by police to prevent us from reaching Paris, I believe there will be a very big turnout in the city,”” said Bertrand Venteau on France Info, adding that the goal wasn't “initially about preventing people from going to work.”
Meanwhile, protests and blockades are spreading across France this Monday. As reported by our colleagues at HERE, several roadblocks are underway, particularly in Isère, the Drôme, Haute-Garonne, as well as in the Gard and Puy-de-Dôme regions.
It is worth noting that Sébastien Lecornu will meet with Young Farmers on January 5th at 3 p.m., followed by a discussion with the Rural Coordination at 6 p.m. The Prime Minister will then hold talks with the FNSEA and the Peasants' Confederation on January 6th at 5:30 p.m.
