French and Spanish farmers say they are giving the European Union until June 1 to scrap taxes on the gas, electricity and diesel used on their farms. They made their demands during a protest at the French-Spanish border crossing of Biriatou which they blocked using their tractors. 


Paris

French and Spanish farmers recently staged a protest at the Biriatou border crossing between France and Spain. They utilized their tractors to block the border crossing as a part of their demonstration. Their primary demand during this protest was for the European Union to eliminate taxes on gas, electricity, and diesel used on their farms. They have given the European Union a deadline until June 1 to meet these demands.

The action taken by the farmers signifies a strong message to the European Union regarding the financial burdens placed on agricultural operations. This demand for the scrapping of such taxes highlights the pressures faced by the farming industry, especially concerning the costs associated with energy use in agricultural practices.



Protesting French, Spanish farmers block border crossing

Hundreds of French and Spanish farmers unite at the border crossing their nation's share to make their voice heard all the way in Brussels. Like previous protests across Europe, these farmers brought their tractors with them. It's now become a symbol of their anger against what they say are the European Union's draconian climate policies, red tape and unfair prices. If they don't listen to us, we will continue to see who can do more, us or them. For the moment, we are being peaceful, but we are getting tired of this. These farmers are specifically demanding for a total tax exemption on the gas, electricity and diesel they use in production. They say the EU have two months to make the changes. We wanted to get together symbolically to put pressure on Europe. We are giving Europe an ultimatum for the 1st of June. So on the 1st, the idea is to demonstrate all we've been getting are words, nothing but words. Today, we want substance. It's not clear whether Brussels will comply. Concessions made so far by the government in France haven't appeased the farmers. Last January, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal vowed to put an end to the rising diesel costs for farm machinery, following a move to phase out existing tax breaks on the fuel.

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