The angry agricultural world in the Southern Alps. A demonstration is planned by the FDSEA and the Young Farmers (JA) from Thursday November 7 in front of the Hautes-Alpes prefecture in Gap. It will be Friday morning in Digne-les-Bains for the FDSEA and the JA in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.
For farmers in the Southern Alps, the score is still not there. If victories were obtained after days of mobilization last year concerning in particular the removal of the 4% fallow obligation, the maintenance of the tax advantage on non-road diesel (GNR) or even the single control , other demands are still ignored.
“A clear fight: the dignity of the farmer”
Enough to endanger many farms in the region and push farmers to return to the streets.
“It is the continuation of the approach carried out this winter with a very clear fight: the dignity of the farmer and of French-departmental agriculture”, confides Laurent Depieds, president of the FDSEA in the Alpes-de-Haute- Provence, at BFM DICI.
“There was a commitment to reduce standards and administrative pressures, today we are asking the State to deliver on what it had promised. We are waiting for concrete results. We are at an impasse, there is a illegibility of the markets. There is no political strategy for our agriculture. The public authorities are supporting us towards the disappearance of our profession,” he adds.
Farms running out of steam
In the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, some farms are running out of steam and are facing increasing financial difficulties. A fed-up denounced by the president of the FDSEA 04.
“We were asking for the Egalim law to have a guarantee of prices and income. This is what farmers are asking for today. They want to have fairness in terms of treatment of standards and charges. We are also now asking to have an income that is worthy. Who would agree to work below their production costs and at a loss? This must stop,” he explains.
Before adding: “we have farms that are disappearing. The morale of farmers is at half mast. They are no longer able to pay their bills. We are selling off agriculture. We will not let ourselves done through free trade agreements Today, we are calling the game over.
Local issues in the Hautes-Alpes
In the neighboring department, Hautes-Alpes, the story is the same: broken promises are also being pointed out. “The situation of farmers is becoming more complicated day by day,” explains the FDSEA and JA 05 in a press release.
“After years marked by climate pressures and ever-increasing legislative constraints, they are faced with exceptionally serious problems.”
An agricultural world which currently focuses on very local issues such as Natura 2000 zones or the maintenance of waterways. “Today, we are dealing with very high-Alpine issues,” explains Laurent Gabet, co-president of FDSEA 05 to BFM DICI.
Before detailing: “For almost 20 years, for example, we have had a Natura 2000 zone to protect a natural area. It was designed with orchards inside, and today, the prefecture services want to force us to to reduce or even stop the use of phytosanitary products. This is unacceptable and prevents farmers from continuing their activities.
Actions Thursday and Friday
Farmers in the Southern Alps are preparing to return to the streets to express their discontent. A first gathering is planned for Thursday morning, November 7 at the Saulce roundabout before a mobilization in front of the Hautes-Alpes prefecture in Gap. An audience with the prefect was also requested.
In the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, farmers will meet this Friday from 8:30 a.m. at the Etoile roundabout in Digne-les-Bains before heading to the prefecture.
“The idea is not to block it. It's a showdown with the government. It's an action that will mobilize all the farmers. We want the government to simply keep its word and for them to are implementing what we were promised”, concludes Laurent Depieds, president of FDSEA 04.
The agricultural world has therefore once again decided to mobilize and remain mobilized to defend local agriculture. New mobilizations cannot be ruled out.
