France-Spain border blocked by farmer protests

Farmers across the south-west are blocking roads as part of a new wave of protests, leading to warnings over severe traffic disruption near the Franco-Spanish border.

The farmers are blocking parts of the A63, notably exit 5 (Anglet) where there is a toll.

There are also plans to block the Pont du Roi on the N125 (Haute-Garonne) directly at the border between the two countries from 11:00, as well as the col d’Ares crossing in Pyrénées-Orientales. 

The blockades are the latest in a series of protests by farmers in both France and Spain, particularly with respect to the EU’s trade agreement with the ‘Mercosur’ countries in South America.

Roads along the border on both sides were completely blocked eight months ago by protesting farmers, and agriculture unions across France have been threatening action since the beginning of the year. 

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Farmers are planning ‘education roadblocks’ and will be stopping drivers in small groups to explain the reason for the action before letting them continue with their journey. 

They have “no desire to make life difficult for people,” organisers of the protest said, and will limit the time of the stops.

However they will divert heavy goods vehicles along the routes, meaning supply chains may be temporarily disrupted as the number of border crossings are reduced.

The protests will last for up to 72 hours, organisers have said.

Heavy traffic expected 

Despite the claims of farmers, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques prefecture is warning of heavy traffic in the area and asking drivers to avoid exit 5 on the A63. 

They recommend using exits 4 or 6 instead to exit or enter the motorway. 

Traffic on the other routes will also be impacted, likely in both directions as Spanish workers also cause blockages. 

Further protests on the way? 

The date of the protest was chosen to coincide with action by Spanish farmers who have coordinated widespread protests in the country over the EU-Mercosur agreement. 

The protest has been initiated by “farmers who don't want to lower their sights in the face of this European policy which is prepared to sacrifice our profession, our rural world, the health of our children and our environment for the sake of the economy,” said a press release from the ‘agriculteurs de la chaîne des Pyrénées’ group. 

The protest is not officially a union one, although the group said “various organizations have relayed the information to their members.”

“It's up to each of them to decide whether or not to take part.” 

You can follow live updates on the protest via French media outlet Sud-Ouest. 

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