A tractor blockade established at eight points around Paris is intended to “starve Parisians”, a French farmer has claimed.

Benoit Durand, a grain farmer, told French broadcaster BFM TV: “We are holding a siege in Chartres, one hour away from Paris. It’s part of the blockade... the goal is to put pressure on the government.”

”[Blockading Paris] will happen naturally. Parisians are going to be hungry. The goal is to starve Parisians. That’s it”.

Around 800 tractors have surrounded the capital as farmers protest what they say are stringent environmental regulations, red tape and low pay.

Near Beauvais, north of Paris, dozens of tractors lined the highway in one of many such protests across the country, displaying banners that read: “Our end will be your hunger” – a play on the similar-sounding French words fin (end) and faim (hunger).

Armoured police vehicles were deployed to Rungis on Monday after some farmers threatened to “occupy” it. Over 8,000 tons of goods pass through its market every day to feed nearly 12 million people.

In the event of major disruption, Paris would only have three days’ food supplies, as deliveries are made every day, according to government agency Ademe.

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