the essential
Guillaume Fauqué, president of the Young Farmers (JA) of Gers, talks about the mobilization that took place in this department this Monday, November 18. While anger is brewing among the farmers, this farmer based in Biran accuses the “non-compliance” of the commitments made by the government. Locally, he carries several demands.
Are you raising the thorny subject of coriander as a claim?
We are still asking for payment of coriander aid for the year 2024. We attest that coriander does not have a production objective. But despite everything, we are asking that commitments for 2024 be made, so that no farmer is left behind.
DDM – SEBASTIEN LAPEYRERE
What about crop insurance?
We demand payment of crop insurance. We are forced to pay this subsidy at 70% by October 31 but it will probably not arrive before March. We don't call it a 70% subsidy when we have to, in the short term, get money from the bank to pay our contribution. This represents large sums for certain farms, particularly for wine growers who are now in difficulty.
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Drought, frost, hail… Parliament adopted the long-awaited crop insurance reform
Are you appealing to the state for help?
We are also asking, in this terrible context, for an emergency fund. We are not proud to ask that, we would prefer to earn our living. However, with the year we have just had, the climatic conditions, the health crises which have affected certain livestock farms: there are treasuries which are at their worst, farmers for whom it is very difficult. We are therefore calling for the establishment of an emergency fund based on figures, something that really supports farmers in need.
The demonstrators joined the prefecture of #Gers has #Also where they hang signs on the gate #AngryFarmers ?⚠️ pic.twitter.com/muEtBLmIYa
— La Dépêche 32 (@ladepeche_32) https://twitter.com/ladepeche_32/status/1858557832343261565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What are your demands regarding vaccination?
We are asking for certainty regarding the vaccination of waterflies. Until December 31, we know the support from the State, but from January 1, it is total vagueness. We are calling for immediate arbitration on this and maintaining the strong State commitment to this vaccination.
What about the water issue?
There is still a lot of tension around issues related to water. We are asking for no increase in the fee rates. Agriculture only represents 25% of the water taken from rivers, so we would like everyone to contribute to the scale of their withdrawals. There is also a subject around the energy to pump this water. We, who consume energy for irrigation in the middle of summer, are asking for a price shield on this water.
