On Friday, tomato farmers from Agen, Rennes, Brest, and Avignon took action in supermarkets to protest against the unfair competition of Moroccan tomatoes that dominate the shelves. The farmers believe that this situation is largely due to ineffective customs agreements and insufficient legislation on the origin of fruits and vegetables.
In Agen, around ten producers placed “Morocco” stickers on tomatoes in a local supermarket to raise awareness among consumers about French production. Nathalie Binda, a farmer from Lot-et-Garonne, expressed her disappointment that the origin of cherry tomatoes is often marked in very small letters on packaging, making it difficult for consumers to identify the origin.
Meanwhile, in Rennes, farmers also protested the presence of imported tomatoes, including those from Morocco, on the shelves. They pointed out the lack of information about traceability and denounced the impact of free trade agreements that allow for the importation of products with little to no customs duties. Similar actions were taken by farmers in Brest, highlighting the need to address unfair competition, low labor costs, and the use of banned pesticides in some countries.
Overall, the farmers aim to inform consumers about their actions and advocate for greater transparency in labeling and legislation regarding food origins. They also hope to raise awareness about supporting local produce and protecting French agriculture.