Prime Minister Michel Barnier was this Friday at the Livestock Summit in Cournon-d’Auvergne, in a very tense context. Farmers wait emergency measures following the protest movement at the start of the year with a series of demonstrations and road blockades organized by non-union farmers and agricultural unions. He says he came “in contact with farmers” who are experiencing an unprecedented health crisis.
An envelope of 75 million euros for sheep breeders affected by epizootics
Michel Barnier announced “an envelope of 75 million euros” for breeders victims of stereotype fever FCO 3 “which is emerging”.
Concerning the protest movements at the beginning of the year, “I haven’t forgotten them” said Michel Barnier. “We will take into account past commitments”, “they will be kept”. A specific program of loans at rates guaranteed by the State is also announced by the Prime Minister for “farms that need it”, those are affected by serious difficulties.
Standards relaxed by prefects
As for the standards denounced by agricultural unions, decentralized power to prefects will be put in place “to relax the rules” like those of spreading for example.
Furthermore, Michel Barnier announced that the agricultural orientation law will be on the agenda in January, it will be improved and amended. He is also waiting for a response “European” to the agricultural crisis.
Before speaking at midday, the Prime Minister walked the aisles of the Livestock Summit. Concerning possible aid, Michel Barnier clarified to breeders that the State “has freedom, even within a constrained budget”while his government aims to make 60 billion euros in savings as part of the 2025 budget.
Towards more wolf “harvestings”?
Evoking “the damage that wolves do to many farms, breaking the morale of breeders”Prime Minister Michel Barnier estimated on Friday that we were “at a key moment to increase sampling capacity”that is to say slaughter of the animal. A meeting of the National Wolf Committee in mid-December “will confirm the assessment of the number of wolves in the country, see the damage that has been done. And I think this is a key moment to increase harvesting capacity”he declared, also welcoming the fact that there was “a movement on this issue towards less ideology and more pragmatism at the European level”Brussels having recently given the green light to lower the protection status of the wolf.
Vaccination against bluetongue free for all breeders
Among breeders’ requests of the Livestock Summit, there was the expectation of a vaccination against bluetongue (BTV) serotype 3, detected recently, and which affects, according to the latest figures provided this Friday noon by the Ministry of Agriculture. Agriculture, “4,644 homes” to October 3. In total, the state has ordered 11.7 million doses of FCO 3 vaccines, “i.e. the sufficient quantity to vaccinate 40% of the cattle herd and 100% of the sheep herd”according to the ministry.
Announced Thursday at the Cournon-d’Auvergne livestock summit by the new Minister of Agriculture, vaccination will be open free to all breeders. “We must at all costs stop the spread of outbreaks and their impact. This is why I have decided that free vaccination paid for by the State will now be open to all of France for the sheep industry” declared Annie Genevard. For the president of the National Sheep Federation Michèle Boudoin, this is a “recognition of our profession “and”a glimmer of hope.”
