At the call of the FDSEA, the Federation of Milk Producers and Young Farmers, stakeholders from the agricultural world of Haute-Marne organized a strong action, this November 13, in Chaumont in front of the prefecture.
What entertainment! In front of the prefecture, this Wednesday, November 13, farmers came in numbers, from 10 a.m. They did not arrive empty-handed.
In a nod to the village signs returned at the start of the year with the slogan “we walk on our heads”, this time the Young Farmers took down signs from most of the Haut-Marne communes. Which were submitted – in very large numbers – to the prefecture.
Panel display
“For two nights, the Young Farmers worked to remove the signs. I think today we can challenge ourselves to find a village that has not been affected. So today’s mobilization is reassuring”observed Thomas Millot, president of the JA de Haute-Marne. The panels were spread out along the prefecture gates, on the ground, and hung on a rope held in the air by two manuscopic devices.
A bin of corn stover was dumped in front of the prefecture gates as soon as the demonstrators arrived, including many young people, but also retired farmers who came to support and even economic players from the agricultural world. Boars' heads were added to this great unpacking, to materialize the harm caused by game damage.
Lactalis set the scene on fire
“The idea of today's demonstration is to send a warning shot. We will then join the national movement. It was the Lactalis affair which ignited the powder in our department, with 17 “licensed” producers. After decades, they are told “we don’t want you anymore”. There will be as many Lactalis products on sale, but the milk will come from elsewhere… These large international groups view France in a negative light. There are too many price constraints, so they go elsewhere”comments Sébastien Riottot, president of the FDSEA of Haute-Marne.
The representative of Haut-Marne dairy producers (FDPL), Florent Cressot, opened a funeral march with 17 coffins symbolically placed in front of the prefecture to mark this form of mourning which affects the Haut-Marne agricultural world.
Farmers' other concerns are linked to the Mercosur agreements, low cash flow concerns, a feeling of feeling cornered or even abusive CAP controls.
The demonstrators remained until nightfall in front of the prefecture. See you on November 18, this time for the call for national mobilization, with a new action to make their anger and especially their demands heard.
S. C. S.
