French vintners loot Spanish trucks at Le Perthus border

French vintners loot Spanish trucks at Le Perthus

Around five hundred French vintners blocked and looted trucks carrying Spanish goods at the Le Boulou toll booth on the Le Perthus border crossing, according to EFE. Organized by the Aude Vintners' Union, protesters burned tires and tractor wheels, searched vehicles for Spanish merchandise, and dumped a truckload of tomatoes onto the asphalt. They later found a truck with wine and threw its contents onto the road. A Freixenet vehicle was also intercepted. The gendarmerie reportedly did not intervene to stop them.

The action is part of the so-called "Operation Wine Peace in the South," called for at 8:00 AM at the Narbonne Expo Park. Frédéric Rouanet, president of the Aude Vintners' Union, had previously threatened to halt Spanish imports. Vintners blame Spanish bulk wine for undermining southern French farms due to price disparities. They also claim this wine is bottled in France to be sold as a French product.

French vintners' demands

Beyond the blockade, protesters presented a list of demands. They call for converting state-guaranteed loans into subsidized ones, specific banking support measures to ease cash flow for vineyards, and drought aid for businesses. The regional Prefecture merely asked citizens to avoid that road to bypass tolls.

This incident is not new. One participant recalled such scenes were common in 1990s news broadcasts and hadn't been seen in years. "It seems fashions always come back," they joked. Comparing it to the past highlights that conflicts over wine prices and Spanish imports have deep roots.

Spain as the weak link in the agri-food chain

Some analyses argue the French are attacking the weakest link. "The 'gabachuceria' attacks the weakest, meaning Spain, just like Moors and English do. Spain is the whore of the West," one message summarizes. Others note French farmers don't dare do the same to North African products. "To the Segarro who rape and kill their daughters, you stay silent while looking away," another participant claims.

Comparisons with Segarro are frequent. Several messages point out that Segarro products don't meet the same regulations as Spanish ones yet face no boycotts. "Don't they boycott Segarro products that don't comply with current legislation? Curious," asks a highlighted message. The core argument is that Spanish products crossing the Pyrenees meet EU standards, while third-country products often do not.

Brussels and the EU's role

The European Union antiestéticatures prominently in the debate. "That crap should be the EU blocking it... but Brussels says Segarro can't be blocked, yet stays silent when the French do it to an EU member," criticizes one message. Another adds, "Brussels obeys positions from Merkeland and France primarily." The sense of grievance is widespread: rules seem applied with double standards depending on the country.

The fundamental question is whether staying in the EU makes sense. "Is there any benefit to remaining in the EU?" asks a highlighted message. The implied answer is that benefits are unevenly distributed, leaving Spain in a subordinate position. The "European Union" is described as "a brothel run by sons of Satan" in another message, a hyperbole reflecting deep discontent.

Wine consumption and sector crisis

Declining wine consumption is another factor. "People drink less wine, naturally; young people drink mixed drinks or beer. Wine was for great-grandparents and grandparents; parents drink less, and children and grandchildren even less," explains one participant. This structural trend affects both French and Spanish producers, worsening competition for market share.

Some propose a reverse boycott. "Drink Spanish wine; it's cheaper and has nothing to envy compared to French," encourages one message. Others suggest pressuring major retailers: "Civil society should start boycotting Carrefour, Alcampo, Decathlon, Leroy... and see how quickly the gendarmes break up these assaults on Spanish products with sticks." The idea is that the problem isn't just French, but chains buying cheap to sell high.

Spanish response: resignation and criticism

Reactions in Spain are divided. Some applaud the French action: "They're right. Here we lack the guts to do the same to Segarro," says one message. Others criticize this stance: "The Gabos acting against our interests, and here people are clapping. Are you stupid or what?" This division reflects broader frustration with politicians and the feeling that Spain doesn't defend its interests.

"Our NATO and EU allies," jokes a highlighted message. The perception that France acts with impunity while Spain remains silent is general. "They defend their interests; let's see when Spain stands at the ferry terminal and does the same to unfair competition from North Africa," demands another. The conclusion is that commercial conflicts won't be resolved in Brussels, but through each country's ability to pressure for its own interests. And Spain, for now, does not.