French farmers are threatening to choke off major motorways and blockade the capital to press their demands for better working conditions, in an intensifying standoff with the government. In recent weeks there have been a slew of protests in the European Union's largest agriculture producing country by farmers angry about insufficient income, red tape and environmental policies they say undermine their ability to compete with less stringent countries. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on French farmers unions' on-going battle for better pay and conditions, FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee is joined by Paul Smith, Associate Professor in French History and Politics at the University of Nottingham.