Protesting farmers have France’s government in a bind

By JOHN LEICESTER
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Farmers have captured France’s attention by showering government offices with manure and snarling Parisian traffic with barricades of tractors and hay bales. The farmers say their protests aren’t a moment too soon. Grievances have long been brewing in the European Union’s leading agricultural power. The war between Russia and Ukraine has caused costs to soar. Climate change and pressure for agriculture that’s more sustainable and more productive are also squeezing the 500,000 or so French farmers. The farmers already had to compete against counterparts from far afield. Increasingly, they have been losing.