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The mobilization of angry farmers does not weaken. Young farmers walled up the France Services premises in Castelnaudary, on the night of Tuesday 12 to Wednesday 13 November. A taste of larger actions to come.
The mobilization of angry farmers continues. On the night of Tuesday November 12 to Wednesday November 13, young farmers struck hard in Castelnaudary, walling up the premises of France Services and the commune's Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA). Last October, they covered the city's signs. A gesture of protest to alert public authorities to the critical situation of French agriculture.
“We are going through a crisis, caused by a terrible drought that has been going on for two years,” explains Loïc Escourrou, president of the Young Farmers of Aude union, before detailing: “The cereal harvest was not great, and some sunflowers are slow to be harvested. We have also suffered attacks from leafhoppers in durum wheat crops, and great damage to livestock due to bluetongue.”
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A list of demands brought before the minister
This “punch” action was carried out a week after the visit of the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, to the town of Castelnaudary. She met the agricultural unions in the premises of the Arterris cooperative on November 4. The Young Farmers then presented him with a notebook listing their main demands, starting with those relating to the problem of water management.
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Indeed, the agricultural union is demanding that the State's commitments be kept to speed up the authorization of water storage projects. An exceptional dedicated envelope is requested for the departments of Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales. “It is urgent to adapt the regulations to allow better use of water in the territories while facilitating the implementation of storage solutions,” says Loïc Escourrou, who also emphasizes that it is necessary today to prioritize agricultural water over that intended for tourism.
DDM – M.L.
Young farmers are also waiting for the ministry on the issue of support for adaptation to climate change. “We must increase aid for diversification, simplify the conditions for obtaining it and accelerate the payment of existing aid,” declares the president of the union. He also believes that the chambers of agriculture must be provided with more resources to test new crops and develop outlets.
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The union also called on the Minister of Agriculture to look into the establishment of an emergency fund intended for young farmers, “more sensitive to increases in various charges”, assures its president before adding: “We We can't pay our debts. The Young Farmers of Aude are also asking for exemptions from the Tax on undeveloped land (TFNB) and MSA contributions for five years to reduce the costs of young people established. This aid would make the profession more attractive, given a context where the number of agricultural training staff is in free fall.
Farmers are also calling for a reduction in the pressure linked to environmental regulations, particularly concerning phytosanitary products. “We have had invasions of leafhoppers because of the ban on a phytosanitary product, and there is no substitute product,” laments Loïc Escourrou.
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A mobilization that does not weaken
Despite announcements from the minister, particularly concerning short and long-term cash loans at subsidized rates, the fear remains that these measures will not materialize. The agricultural world intends to maintain the pressure, and the FNSEA is calling for mobilization from next Monday. The mobilization in Castelnaudary is only a foretaste of larger actions to come in France.
