“When you don’t respond to people, after a while, it’s anger that expresses itself”
David Sève, president of the FDSEA du Gard, is at the head of operation “Chouette” which will begin this Monday evening in Nîmes. With the main objective of making the anger and uneasiness of Gard farmers and wine growers heard. Interview.
Objectif Gard: What is the goal of this new mobilization?
David Sève: Quite simply because some of the measures that were promised to us in February were not kept. So, we certainly obtained a few things, we will say, but there are 8 to 9 measures out of 10 which were not obtained.
What are the main demands today locally?
First demand, we want grubbing premiums to be exempt from taxation. These bonuses are often paid for very difficult situations or situations of cessation of activity, so it is not normal to pay taxes on this. The second thing, we absolutely want there to be a revision of this famous historical average of agricultural calamities. This new system is supposed to insure us in the event of climatic hazards. And as it takes historical references into account when unfortunately these last few years have been disastrous, it's as if we were no longer assured. It's very serious. Who would accept that? It's like a taxi driver driving without insurance… The third thing concerns phytosanitary products. We have fallen into dogmatism. Treatment products are arbitrarily taken away from us and we find ourselves with nothing.
The other big worry is financial…
This is indeed the case. We want the prefecture to set up a commission which brings together tax, social services and banks for the most difficult cases. The loans offered at the start of the year, honestly, did not enrich anyone. When there is a hard cost, loans allow you to pass it. But here, we are ready for power, there is a problem…
Finally, there is the European negotiation around the free trade treaty between the EU and Mercosur…
Of course, it is being sold to us as a new agreement to encourage the export of our products. On the other hand, I am sure that this agreement will lead to a massive arrival of products from South America. We cannot constantly be the victims of international agreements.
A word on the mobilization in Gard. What is this Chouette operation?
Because it's going to happen at night. This Monday, we are going to go to Saint-Césaire. We're going to filter the trucks a little. We are going to replace a customs check. Afterwards, as you know, our movements have no intention of preventing people from working or damaging public property. The motto is that if we don't collect, the State doesn't collect either.
What state of mind are the farmers and winegrowers in Gard a few hours before these actions?
There is a part of resignation, but I think there is a big part of anger. It's normal, when you don't respond to people, after a while, anger is expressed.