New large-scale mobilizations of farmers are expected in France and Haute-Loire in the coming days. The promises made by the government last February after the first major tensions did not seem to satisfy. Tractors will once again hit the streets of downtown Puy-en-Velay.
Ten months after a remarkable show of force by farmers in Haute-Loire, a new call for mobilization was made, at the national level, by the main unions in the profession. On January 25, hundreds of tractors left their usual meadows to invade the territory's tarmac roads. Departing from Monistrol-sur-Loire, the Barraques roundabout in Cussac-sur-Loire or that of Polignac, the farmers then all converged towards the town center of Le Puy to express their anger. In front of the prefecture gate, the headquarters of the Departmental Directorate of Territories (DDT) as well as in front of the premises of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) and the General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP), they are fed up -bol had spoken.
“It didn’t go far enough”
Will the snail operations and the mountains of tires placed in front of these symbolic places be back in the coming days? This is what the agricultural unions are suggesting… At the beginning of February, the roadblocks were lifted following the commitments of the Prime Minister at the time, Gabriel Attal, and his government. Nearly 62 promises were listed to respond to the main demands of the demonstrators, in particular the simplification of administrative procedures and questions of food sovereignty.
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But ten months later, the score is not there for farmers. “Not all the promises were kept. We have made progress, but it has not gone far enough,” says Julien Duplomb, president of the Young Farmers of Haute-Loire (JA 43).
The advances have not made up for the shortcomings
“Administrative simplification has not gone far enough, we spend so much time filling out documents. This is wasted time on the farm. Especially this year we had a lot more work due to difficult weather,” explains the breeder. Last January, the heavy administrative tasks were one of the protesters' major criticisms. And, despite the commitments of the previous government, an entire professional sector is still plagued. “The system is so administered, it follows the same line, a strict protocol. You have to review everything and above all use common sense. »
Another point of contention for the union representative: farm controls. “Of the 3,500 farms in Haute-Loire, 1,300 were inspected in 2024. The procedure itself is not a problem, but the rules are very strict, so the process is long and often difficult to validate” , continues Julien Duplomb. Problem: without up-to-date control, no payment of PAC deposit, essential European funds. “One hundred farmers in the department are affected. One in two has only received half and the others have simply not received anything yet. If it takes longer, it will cause cash flow problems,” continues Nicolas Merle, president of FDSEA 43.
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It is “a set of small things” which explains the agricultural anger today, after several months of appeasement.
“When we slow down the demonstrations, the negotiations are slower. There is a feeling of unfinished business and taking to the streets seems to be the only way to be heard! »
Julien Duplomb (President of JA 43)
Less than a month ago, Altiligarian breeders had already mobilized following the carnage caused by bluetongue (BFT). Asking for financial means to get back on their feet, they were received at the prefecture. “We still have no answer and Haute-Loire is still not affected by the aid raised by the State. » Julien Duplomb and Nicolas Merle recognize, however, that the crisis unit then set up had worked well. But like all the farmers present that day, they are now waiting for financial benefits to help the most affected livestock farms.
Another piece of news has come to ignite the powder in an already tense context for the French agricultural sector. Negotiations are underway between the European Union and South America regarding Mercosur, a free trade agreement between the two continents.
“We have nothing against international trade, but it is a blockage for us in terms of agricultural products. We are asked for quality French production to move towards food autonomy, but we would let in products from elsewhere which do not respect any of our standards. »
Nicolas Merle (President of FDSEA 43)
“It’s unfair competition,” adds Julien Duplomb. Indeed, if Mercosur were to be applied as is, new products would arrive on supermarket shelves. “For example, foreign organic could enter as “organic” in France. Having been to Argentina, I assure you that the organic from there is equivalent to the conventional from here. They do not have the same standards and do not control the origin of their products like we do,” assures Nicolas Merle.
Heavy-handed actions planned
So what can we expect today from agricultural unions and the professionals they represent, after the mobilizations at the start of the year? The president of the FDSEA 43 tempers. “We don’t take pleasure in having to mobilize. That’s less time on our farms and with our families. If we gather together, it is not with joy. »
Accentuate the effort of simplification, reduce controls and bring more consistency between speeches and actions… The farmers of Haute-Loire have many demands. And they will make them heard very soon. “There will surely be some occasional punching actions. Will we end up organizing blocking operations? I don't know yet, we need to discuss it. We are lucky to have a prefect who listens to farmers. But we will have to challenge the State and remind them that we are here and that we have many issues on which we will have to act,” warns Nicolas Merle.
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