While the tractors mobilize and the farmers dump branches, straw and paperwork in front of the headquarters of the DDT and the prefecture in Puy-en-Velay, at the Champaras farm in Rosières, it's a completely different atmosphere.
This Monday morning, everyone goes about their business, far from the tumult of the demonstration.
No demonstration, because we must sow quickly
Juliette, 70 years old, boots on her feet and dogs in her paws, goes to see the little calves. Since 2008, it has been Patrick Chapat, her son, and Serge Dousson, her nephew, who have taken over the operation that she managed with her now deceased husband. But she continues to lend a helping hand.
No choice. “I continued to milk cows until 2016, and then I had knee problems. So now I only take care of the calves. »
Monday morning, they did not go to demonstrate. “We can’t!” We are late with our work because of the weather, says Serge. We must sow the cereals. Last week, we were still wrapping, although normally we finished a long time ago. » The land here is clayey, it cannot be worked in all weathers. An additional constraint.
“The pay just goes to pay for supplies”
“For us, it’s very hard. Especially this year, we haven't paid each other a salary for six months. The pay just goes to pay for supplies, especially fuel. »
Inflation has not spared them. “Everything has increased: animal feed, seeds, fertilizers… Everything is affected. It's okay that we don't have children, otherwise I don't see how we would do it” Since their installation sixteen years ago, “everything has gotten worse”.
At the administration level, “there is far too much paperwork, standards… Last week, my partner spent the entire week doing paperwork! »
Standards and prices too low
To add to the difficulties, the second part of the CAP aid was not paid to them. “We don’t even know if we’ll touch him. And the price of milk has become much too low. In 1970, diesel was 50 cents per liter and milk was worth double that, today it's the opposite: to pay for 1,000 liters of diesel, we have to sell 2,000 liters of milk… It's a madness! »
Farmers are forced to tighten their belts. “We pay attention to everything. We're at the point where if one of our tractors fails, we can't replace it. Because even borrowing has become very difficult. »
And faced with political promises, it is anger that emerges. “We are going to create exchanges (with Mercosur, Editor's note) with countries which do not have the same standards as us, with animals full of antibiotics… Which will be sold cheaper, it's completely unfair. »
Patrick confides: “We become fatalistic. Our daily lives are deteriorating. To get by, we increased our capital, but the bills are getting bigger and bigger, as are the loans and we are not making any more money. So, we do more. It’s a vicious circle…”
What is holding them back? “The family passion for the profession. We grew up here and we feel free. Although the more we advance, the less true it becomes. »
Agricultural unions will continue the mobilization
Since Monday, the agricultural world has shown its anger against a potential agreement with South American countries and is demanding promises made at the start of the year. If calm has returned to the FDSEA and Young Farmers, the Rural Coordination continued to mobilize, particularly on roundabouts.
Julien Duplomb, president of the Young Farmers in Haute-Loire, is ready. “We will surely organize actions next week. Today we still have to think about what we are going to do. » As a reminder, the JA had ribboned the town signs at the start of the week.
Rural Coordination is mobilizing from Saturday
Elections to the Chamber of Agriculture oblige, the Rural Coordination does not join this movement and everyone contests on their own. The branch of the union in Haute-Loire, however, does not know what its members will do next week. “We are maintaining our planned rally in front of the prefecture this Saturday. Next week, we will not do the same as the FDSEA and the JA,” we were told.
The two unions agree on demands regarding the free trade agreement with Mercosur or their requests for administrative simplification.
Pierrick Lescop
