the essential
With a largely renewed list, the FDSEA and the Young Farmers of Tarn-et-Garonne are campaigning for the elections to the Chamber of Agriculture on a clear line: a working unionism which aims to be a force for proposals to defend the interests of farmers of Tarn-et-Garonne in all negotiations and obtain concrete results.
Since January 7, 2025, the campaign for the elections of the chambers of agriculture has been in full swing. In Tarn-et-Garonne, the FDSEA/JA list aims to be representative of the department's agriculture, in all its diversity. This is what Jean-Philippe Viguié, Anselme Pailhiez, Barbara Castagné and Patrice Raujol underline, all candidates in college 1, whom we met on Thursday January 16 at the FDSEA 82 headquarters.
The composition of the list
“We are presenting a largely renewed list, with experienced people but also many young people who represent all of the department's agriculture in its specific aspects: short circuits, diversification of production, an economic size of the farm which gives perspectives. It is the pride of our two unions to defend the family and diversified agricultural operations which make up the wealth of our territory”, explains Jean-Philippe Viguié.
How the two unions campaign
To present their results (since they had largely won the last elections in 2019) and highlight their program, FDSEA and JA chose to organize cantonal meetings (1) but also meetings on a specific theme. Thus, in December, in Molières, Christophe Chambon, the president of the FMSE, came to talk about a crucial subject for breeders: vector-borne diseases. This January 16, in Garganvillar, to discuss the CAP and the specificities of Occitania with regard to major crops, FDSEA and JA invited Céline Imart. “She is the only MEP capable of defending French agriculture,” considers Jean-Philippe Viguié. “Generally speaking, in this campaign, we want to show what we do, what work unionism is. FDSEA and JA are proactive in bringing the voice of agriculture in Tarn-et-Garonne to the maximum high level.”
Water, a vital issue
FDSEA and JA put a theme at the top of their program: water. “We are the only union to defend irrigation to bring income and added value to our farms. The challenge is to make access to water simpler,” emphasizes Jean-Philippe Viguié. Organic market gardener in direct sales, Anselme Pailhiez would never have been able to settle in Lacourt-Saint-Pierre if he had not benefited from the water from the Montauban canal in Montech. “I pay a subscription, it’s thanks to that that my 5 hectare farm is viable and I was able to hire a worker.” Another example, that of Patrice Raujol. The Nègrepelisse arborist has launched a lake project “to make antifreeze and thus secure my fruit production”.
-“TikTok unionism has its limits”
In this campaign, which they approach as favorites, FDSEA and JA face criticism from competing lists, in particular from Rural Coordination. “We haven't seen them for 6 years and there they come out with a series of lies, in particular about the financial situation of the Tarn-et-Garonne chamber of agriculture. The chamber which is under supervision is that of the Lot-et-Garonne (Editor's note: chaired by Serge Bousquet-Cassagne, from Rural Coordination), not ours. We voted for a balanced budget in 2024, our situation is healthy,” says Patrice. Raujol.
Jean-Philippe Viguié also regrets that the CR “engages in attacks on people targeting the outgoing President of the Chamber Alain Iches or Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA”. He prefers to highlight the concrete results obtained by his union. “In 4 years, we have brought 60 million euros into the department, plus 15 million euros in contribution exemptions for the hiring of seasonal agricultural workers under the TODE system. On the price of GNR, we have been able to change national policy. What motivates us is to push specific issues. TikTok unionism has its limits.
The supporting role of the Chamber of Agriculture
Anselme Pailhiez also wants to combat preconceived ideas regarding the role of the Chamber of Agriculture. “When I wanted to settle down in 2021, everyone told me The Room is useless, don't go there. On the contrary, I found a lot of help and support there. We really need to train, this role of the Chamber of Agriculture is crucial.” For his irrigation project, Patrice Raujol was able to count on the help of hydraulic technicians from the Chamber. For the installation of young people too the consular body plays a big role. “Support and economic validation are essential conditions for settling in. “We have to embark on solid and viable projects”, highlights Barbara Castagné. Producer of strawberries, apples, grapes and plums in Castéra-Bouzet, she explains how with her husband she created an independent farm, by buying the land of a farmer who was retiring without taking over the family.
A generation to replace
In Tarn-et-Garonne, the average age of farm managers is between 54 and 55 years old. “In other words, in 10 years, half of the farmers will have retired. There is a real challenge: for people to take over, we must have means and income. What we want is to see dignified and happy farmers, who are comfortable in their boots. For that, it reconciles farmers with their environment, with city dwellers. We only ask for one thing: to be able to work and earn our living with dignity. , concludes Jean-Philippe Viguié.
