A few days before the inauguration of the Agricultural Show, there is a lot at stake. Gabriel Attal held a press conference this Wednesday, February 21, in Matignon to detail the measures announced at the beginning of February and try to appease an angry agricultural sector.
The agricultural guidance bill will be presented “at the end of the week” and “will be deliberated in the spring,” said Marc Fesneau, Minister of Agriculture, during the press conference.
Gabriel Attal thus set a “slogan” for the farmers: “we will not lie, we will not betray. […] Our farmers are waiting to see to believe.” It indicates that of the 62 commitments recently made with agricultural union organizations, 100% of the projects have been open and that 8 out of 10 commitments have already been completed in three weeks. He declined the guidance. of these commitments through six main themes.
• The agricultural sovereignty of France:
“The agricultural guidance bill recognizes our objective and places agriculture among the nation’s fundamental interests along with security,” he explained. Although indicators have been defined to lay the foundations for a true food sovereignty strategy, they show that “France exports the equivalent of twice what would be necessary to feed the French.” Gabriel Attal especially wants to establish “clear perspectives for each livestock sector.”
• Recognition of the profession of farmer
For the Prime Minister, it is about protecting farmers against abusive resources, but also through agricultural pensions. This project has recorded “many advances since 2017”, according to the head of Government, who wants to “continue improving these issues” with one objective: “to build a system that does not penalize some farmers for the benefit of others.” For this reason, he promises “a first implementation in the next financial texts this fall.” He also reaffirmed his desire to increase the consumption of French products with an acceleration of collective catering (50% sustainable and quality products, 20% organic).
• A “day of solutions” on “collective restoration”
“I accept that I want us to consume more French,” said Gabriel Attal. The Prime Minister announces a “solutions conference”, “associating the State and local authorities”. “It will be met by ministers” in April to “accelerate collective restoration”
• New Egalim law
“Controls are increasing and there will be sanctions” to enforce the current Egalim and Descrozailles laws, assures Gabriel Attal. In addition, a parliamentary mission was launched to reinforce the Egalim system and in the summer a new bill will be presented to advance three issues: the construction of the price that must pass from the producer to the industrialist and then to the distributor, the place of production that must be more central and the reinforcement of the weight of farmers in the negotiations.
The Prime Minister also recalled the Egalim system at European level, opened by the European Commission to fight, in particular, against European purchasing centers.
• Employment: a sector in tension
The Prime Minister announced “exempting almost all seasonal agricultural jobs from employer contributions” and said he was “committed to strong social and fiscal measures.” “To address hiring tensions, we will exempt almost all seasonal agricultural jobs from employer contributions.”
• Protection of farmers against unfair competition
Opposition to the free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur. Simple principle: if it is prohibited for our farmers, it should not enter our country. We have made progress at the European level to better protect them against Ukrainian imports, in particular of poultry to integrate grains.
• Simplify procedures and standards
Gabriel Attal has planned a monthly update to take stock of what is changing for farmers. Three texts already published, three are about to be published in the coming days, he stated. In the bill, the measures should allow for simplified compensation for certain damages, particularly to game, or for farmers to more easily receive what they are owed. Simplify CAP rules on fallow land at European level and present a new package of simplifications in the coming days. We are the country that has drastically reduced the use of phytosanitary products and we owe it to the mobilization of our farmers. This reduction objective must not be to the detriment of our farmers. 250 million euros a year.
• Guarantee generational change
To ensure that agricultural operations are taken over, especially by young people, Gabriel Attal presented measures: “I do not believe in the crisis of vocations, but there are obstacles, brakes that discourage. The bill presented today “is a step forward. Several other measures will be present in the next budget: accumulation of social exemptions at the time of installation, action in the territory.”
Source: BFM TV
