Ten people from the Movement for the Defense of Family Farmers (Modef) gathered in front of the prefecture in Tulle this Friday, November 8. The goal: to denounce “the death of the peasant” and make their demands heard.
On this sunny morning, ten Modef demonstrators gathered in front of the gates of the Tulle prefecture this Friday, November 8. “There aren't many of us, but that's not what matters: it's the message we want to send that is important,” underlines Fabien Marcilloux, president of Modef de Corrèze.
Mobilization of Rural Coordination the day before
The evening before, around forty farmers from Rural Coordination (CR) gathered in the same place to denounce the death of agriculture. The demonstrators had placed candles and chrysanthemums in a circle in front of the gates of the prefecture.
premium A funeral vigil by the Corrèze Rural Coordination to mark “the death of agriculture” and opposition to Mercosur
This morning, nothing. Everything has been removed. But for farmers, there is no question of giving up. So the Corrèze Modef placed a fake coffin wrapped in trash bags in front of the gates. “The death of the family peasants” written on it.
Insufficient remuneration
A strong symbol, but realistic according to the demonstrators of the day. “The government's promises have not been kept,” laments Sophie Bezeau, director of Modef. “We are fighting so that our farmers have a dignified income. Today, we cannot earn our living.” “How can we install young farmers if we don’t have supervision?”, adds the president of Modef de Corrèze.
Mercosur is the assured death of family farms. We will have rotten meat with hormones.
Among the demonstrators' other demands: the agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, the economic alliance of several South American countries, for the free movement of goods and services.
This partnership has not yet been ratified, but it is already worrying farmers, who fear that South American products that do not meet European standards will be imported from the other side of the Atlantic. “It’s the assured death of family farms [si l’accord est signé, n.d.l.r.]castigates Fabien Marcilloux. We will have rotten meat with hormones.”
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Meeting with the prefect
The demonstrators are demanding, among other things, a “remunerative price”, more aid in the event of illness on farms, a larger wolf brigade in upper Corrèze… Modef was received by the prefect of Corrèze to hear his voice. The demonstrators warn: “if nothing happens, we will intensify the movement.”
Samuel Purdy
