French attack on lorries carrying Spanish agricultural products

Priority question for written answer  P-000325/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Clara Aguilera (S&D), Laura Ballarín Cereza (S&D), Iratxe García Pérez (S&D), Javier Moreno Sánchez (S&D), Eider Gardiazabal Rubial (S&D), Javi López (S&D), Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D), Estrella Durá Ferrandis (S&D), Jonás Fernández (S&D), Ibán García Del Blanco (S&D), Isabel García Muñoz (S&D), Nicolás González Casares (S&D), Alicia Homs Ginel (S&D), Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D), Cristina Maestre Martín De Almagro (S&D), Inma Rodríguez-Piñero (S&D), Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D), Domènec Ruiz Devesa (S&D), Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D)

The farmers’ protests that have been taking place in a number of EU countries have reached France. Since 25 January 2024, demonstrators have been attacking Spanish fruit and vegetable lorries and blocking roads on the border with Spain. The French farmers have accused the Spanish of engaging in unfair competition and say that the blockades will continue. The French authorities have supported these allegations and confirmed that France is suffering as a result of unfair competition from several Member States of the European Union.

These incidents constitute an indiscriminate and unjustified attack not only on Spanish agriculture, but also on the European single market. This is an infringement of the right to the free movement of goods enshrined in Article 28 TFEU.

In light of the above:

• 1.What action will the Commission take regarding the days on which the free movement of goods between Spain and France was prevented and the costs incurred as a result?
• 2.Does the Commission take the view that there is unfair competition between the Member States’ farming industries?

Supporter[1]

Submitted:1.2.2024

• [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors:César Luena(S&D)