France’s prime minister unveils new measures in attempt to calm farmers’ anger

PARIS (AP) — France’s prime minister has unveiled a new set of measures meant to address the concerns of farmers protesting for days across the country to denounce low wages, heavy regulation and unfair competition from abroad. Gabriel Attal’s speech on Thursday came as convoys with hundreds of angry farmers driving tractors created chaos outside the European Union’s headquarters. Protesters demand leaders at an EU summit provide relief from rising prices and bureaucracy. Attal promised there will be no new pesticide banned “without a solution” and reaffirmed France would remain opposed to the EU signing a free-trade deal with the Mercosur trade group. Protesters on road blockades across France watched the speech on smartphones and televisions they had set up.