French police allowed to protect farmers from environmental activists

The French Supreme Court has ruled that the special Demeter gendarmerie against protests by environmental activists in the French countryside operates within legally permissible criteria. According to the court, the police may keep an eye on ideologically motivated groups that are preparing demonstrations and blockades against genetically modified crops and the spraying of chemical agents.

The French police unit Demeter was created in 2019 to tackle rural crime, with a focus on protecting farmers from threats and vandalism. Its creation came against a backdrop of increasing attacks on agricultural businesses and so-called ‘agribashing’.

Environmental and climate movements have criticized the operation of the Demeter unit. They accuse the unit of violating freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest. For them, Demeter is an instrument to silence critical voices about industrial agricultural practices. 

On the other hand, French agricultural interest groups have embraced the police unit as a measure to protect farmers, pointing out that it helps them at a time when farmers are increasingly confronted with intimidation, theft and violence. 

The recent ruling of the Council of State on 7 November 2024 confirmed the legitimacy of the Demeter unit and its activities. The Supreme Administrative Court ruled that the gendarmerie has the right to monitor ideological actions of environmental activists, if these actions are accompanied by disturbances of public order. The court concluded that there is no violation of fundamental rights.

The ruling has caused a divided reaction. Agricultural organizations expressed relief and welcomed the confirmation of Demeter's legitimacy. In contrast, environmental and human rights organizations expressed disappointment and concern about the potential curtailment of civil liberties. They fear that the ruling sets a precedent for further restricting protests and activism in France.