The week-long protests by French farmers, which have effectively blocked the neighboring country, revolve around several important issues. Some are local, like winegrowers in the Rhône region who close the border. Others are more global, e.g. fees agricultural workers or bureaucratic pressure Farms survive due to environmental regulations. There are also those who regulate the role of agriculture, affecting the entire society by going beyond the scope of agriculture. big distribution or claim to maintain exemption from hydrocarbon tax.
1. What will happen to wages in rural France?
France’s main agricultural union, FNSEA, which organized the protests together with the organization Jeunes Agriculteurs, demands “absolute respect” for farmers. Laws called Egalim (rules regulating the general condition of food), whose purpose is to protect farmers’ wages in the face of commercial disputes that manufacturers and large distributors often encounter. The measures provided in these two regulations (the first from 2013 and the second from 2018) ensure that operators save your production costsBut the pressure tactics and methods applied by large supermarkets prevent this. Their non-compliance has been repeatedly condemned by farmers. Income is decreasing. First Minister Gabriel AttaHe promised to apply during a visit to a small dairy farm near Toulouse last Friday. Hard hand to these companies Things that do not comply with Egalim. Moreover, the French State has accumulated a significant delay in this matter. Payment of European aid from CAP (in Spain, for example, almost all of these have already been collected) and Planned health and climate compensation in the face of situations such as bird flu or floods that have affected the French countryside in recent months.
2. What environmental measures affect farms?
FNSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs demand ““Reduction project” of existing standardsThey claim it is excessive and increases bureaucracy. “The accumulation of daily standards is accompanied by a permanent questioning of the means of production. This questions the desire to create a real reflection on the food sovereignty of the country and the continent,” the unions say. We believe that the environmental protection measures adopted in recent years are too restrictive for producers. First of all, they demand an investigation. 2021 water planOrganizing the withdrawal of irrigated land and coordinating the response to drought situations. They also refuse wetland protection plan Initiated and requested by the Ministry of Ecological Transition end of untreated zones (NTZ)Safety distance from homes and protected environments that farmers must comply with during propagation phytosanitary products. At this point, the government has committed to increase by: 90% compensation In some affected sectors and regions, 50 million eurosand emergency aid of 50 million for organic production.
3. Why is the diesel tax exemption so important?
Prime Minister Attal’s announcement regarding the cancellation of the raise non-road diesel taxes (GNR)This change, which protesters have been eagerly awaiting, comes after the exemption for farmers (as well as the construction industry) on this fuel was first revised downwards on January 1. The government’s intention was to tax GNR. will increasingly approach other fuels But farmers, who among other things decry the increasing weight of the accusations on their farms’ liquidity, consider the effort excessive in their case. They think that now is not the time to withdraw the tax exemption, since fuel prices have already increased by themselves due to the war in Ukraine. The liter price of GNR was 1.22 euros on average at the end of 2023. After doubling between 2020 and 2022.
4. Why do they need more border controls?
As FNSEA president Arnaud Rousseau announced a few days ago, the “driving force” of the ongoing peasant revolt across Europe The strategy the EU wants to implement and christened ‘Farm to table’. Although the intent of community regulations is correct, protesters say: “This will lead to the decline of agriculture, 15% loss in European production“. Competition from other agricultural powers such as Spain, Italy or Morocco is viewed with concern by the French industry. “60% of the meat served in France already comes from outside the country,” says Rousseau. The peasant leader continues, saying that the new EU model will work. says: “Help to establish organic farms and harden Controls at European borders“. Attal himself shared the discontent of French farmers this weekend, saying: at least 40% fruits and vegetables They are imported (especially from Spain and Italy) because of the productivity brake that certain environmental rules create for France. The Prime Minister announced he would recommend “further measures” to community partners to protect the public. food sovereignty French.
5. How do you think generation change can be guaranteed?
FNSEA demands rapid implementation of the agreement generation renewal in agriculture It was presented by branch minister Marc Fesneau in December. The union is demanding a “strong law” that includes “fiscal and social measures” aimed at facilitating the settlement of young farmers and the transfer of farms. The ministry’s answer is clear: “Special projects will be implemented on priority” making farmers’ lives easier “It was defined in the orientation pact in favor of intergenerational change,” he assures.