Reacting to farmers’ protests, the French government announced tonight that it is abandoning plans to increase the tax on diesel for agricultural use, the price of which was set to rise gradually until 2030.

This announcement was made by Prime Minister Gabriel Atalin an attempt to calm the anger of French farmers who are threatening to block the entrances to the French capital.

Speaking from a farm in south-west France, his notes resting on a bale of straw, Atal also said the government would “put agriculture above everything else”.

“We will stop this upward trend of GNRof diesel for agricultural use, Atal said, thus meeting one of the key demands of farmers who have blockaded one of the main highways linking Paris to Lille and Belgium and are preparing for further demonstrations to increase pressure to the government.

Attal also said that France “opposes and will continue to oppose» at the signing of the controversial trade agreement between the European Union and the countries of Mercosur, South America.

The two sides have been negotiating this agreement for years, which runs afoul of environmental issues. French farmers also fear the risk of unfair competition from Latin American products.

After criticizing “those who oppose the defense of our farmers and the environment,” Atal also promised that “ten steps to simplify procedures would be taken immediately» and that it will become easier for farmers to access water resources. He also advocated the implementation of laws aimed at protecting farm income in negotiations with industries and supermarkets.

“The next few dayss” the government will impose “heavy penalties” to three businesses that do not comply with these laws, Atal announced, also promising that inspections would be stepped up.

The French prime minister said an effort would be made to pay faster compensation to farmers whose herds are affected by diseases such as epizootic hemorrhagic disease, for which the state will cover 90% of the treatment, up from the 80% that is today.