The JA 48, as tradition dictates, takes stock of 2024 and looks towards future deadlines.
1. Fifty installations in 2024
“Among the Young Farmers of Lozère (AND 48)we are formatted to work for our profession. We are formatted to build our future, we are formatted to install young people”, recalled the president of the union, Hervé Boudon, this Monday, January 6, 2025. In this regard, the figures for 2024 are enough to make him smile, as well as Pierre Privat, his treasurer, and Élodie Joubert, his general secretary. “We have fifty installations assisted, details the latter. We are still a department that installs a lot.”
Ninety installations in 2023, and 80 in 2022, had been registered. The 2024 drop, however, is not alarming for the three union officials. “At that time, the amount of aid for the installation of young farmers was higher, recalls Hervé Boudon. In 2024, it was €10,000 lower. Our standards are between 40 and 60 installations. There we are right in the middle.”
The president of JA 48 recalls one last figure: “According to INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies), between 2019 and 2021, the renewal rate of agricultural holdings in Lozère was 101%. So we gained 1% of agricultural operations. That doesn't mean everything. I'm not saying everything is perfect. Nevertheless, I believe that many departments in France would dream of having our figures.”
2. Twenty animations
The Young Farmers of Lozère can be proud of having organized 20 events throughout 2024: the Earth Festival, the Farm in town in La Canourgue, the Snacks on the farm and the Gourmet Walk.
“We must thank our eleven cantons, our two facilitators and all the breeders who opened their farms, insisted Hervé Boudon. We never had the slightest problem. Social media “haters” remain social media “haters.” In real life, it doesn't happen like that. In Lozère, we have virtuous agriculture. Consumers are demanding.”
In 2025, Earth Day will take place on Sunday August 24. After the canton of Valdonnez in 2024, it will be organized by that of Grandrieu. “For the moment, the plot has not yet been chosen,” underlines the president of JA 48.
3. A historic mobilization
The year 2024 was also marked by the anger of agriculture throughout France. Lozère was no exception. The Young Farmers of Lozère and the FDSEA were notably at the origin of major industrial action on the A75 motorway, which was completely blocked at Antrenas on Tuesday January 30. “We are not demonstrating for the sake of demonstrating. The work was also done at the departmental, regional and national level, where we are present everywhere,” insists Élodie Joubert.
While significant progress had been obtained, particularly under the Attal government, the JA regrets the various reversals in the political situation in recent months. “Our exchanges were very intense last winter and at the beginning of spring, recalls Hervé Boudon. We had made a whole bunch of requests concerning simplification, prices, GNR (non-road diesel), etc. Implementation plans had been planned. Everything stopped when the National Assembly was dissolved in June, including the agricultural orientation law. After two months of political uncertainty, a new government was appointed. We then began very intense work again, before those who said all the good things they thought about agriculture decided to cut off the government's head with a motion of censure. These 331 deputies have destroyed all our efforts. They bear this responsibility.”
4. Lupine predation
Lupine predation is still one of the major concerns of the JA 48. A file that the union will continue to follow with the greatest attention. “We had around 130 attacks for 320 victimsbelieves Hervé Boudon. There were a few cattle, but if we only take sheep, an entire herd has disappeared. We have two proven packs on Mont Lozère and Mont Aigoual. In reality, we have at least four, if not more.”
Officially, four wolves were taken in Lozère. However, the JA believes that this number is overestimated. “There were two simple defensive shots after which a little blood and hair were found. The animal was never recovered. Was it injured in a leg? a long nail? Did it leave a little blood? We don't know. Doubt never benefits the breeder, but if it is not found, it is counted. against, the breeder who has a sheep missing, we don't pay her.”
In 2024, the JA are pleased that a first simple defense shot has been obtained to protect cattle. “It's hard to have, continues the president. I think it's for financial reasons. It would cost a lot in compensation.“
