The second agricultural union demands to be received by the Prime Minister, otherwise it plans to call its members to “go to Paris” to organize “punctual blockages” this Sunday, January 5.
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The union had given François Bayrou and the Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard until Thursday to receive its representatives.
“We don’t have an answer coming to us, so we have to go look for it”launched the president of Rural Coordination (CR), Véronique Le Floc'h, on RTL's microphone on Friday morning, when the first council of ministers of the Bayrou government was to be held.
“We are still waiting today (Friday, editor's note). We hope that he (François Bayrou, editor's note) will be convinced at the end of this council of ministers, if not with his Minister of Agriculture, at least with the other ministers, to give us importance and answer our questions”declared Ms. Le Floc’h.
“What we want are measures that will allow us to continue working without it costing us more”she added, pushing in particular for a “energy shield” and the revision of the calculation of farmers' social charges.
In the absence of an appointment, the CR provides for “punctual blockages” in the capital without specifying the locations.
“Our members and supporters are preparing and we are going into the electoral campaign on the 7th. So we have (Sunday) 5 (January) left, we have (Monday) 6 left”specified Ms. Le Floc’h.
This call comes a few days before the official launch of the campaign for the elections to the chambers of agriculture, which begins on January 7. The vote, which will take place online or by mail from January 15 to 31, will determine the new balance of power between agricultural unions.
One of the challenges of this election will be to see to what extent the CR, whose yellow caps have gained visibility since last winter's crisis, can shake up the hegemony of the majority alliance FNSEA-Jeunes Agriculteurs, which also requested “an emergency appointment” with François Bayrou after his appointment.
Customary of punchy actions, the CR wants to obtain guarantees from the Prime Minister for the defense of a “exception agriculturelle” French, focused on the defense of small farmers whom it considers crushed by free trade.
