Almost a year after the agricultural mobilization that shook France, farmers say they are ready to mobilize again. In the Hautes-Alpes, an apple growing area, they met on Tuesday evening to discuss the actions to be taken.
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“I’d rather pull things out than close the door”. Lilian Lions wanders in the middle of a plot where he will no longer harvest pippins. He made the painful decision to uproot his apple trees planted around thirty years ago by his father. “I took it slowly so as not to hurt him. But when you can no longer live, you have to make a decision.”
Its 17 hectare farm is located in the hamlet of Rourebeau, in the Büech valley, in the Hautes-Alpes, cradle of apple growing. But for Lilian, the activity is no longer profitable. “The prices are not high enough and the labor for the harvests cannot be found”. He prefers to focus on breeding.
Lilian Lions wanders around her farm. He uprooted apple trees that he did not consider profitable enough.
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© N. Chaix / FTV
For several weeks, mobilization has been brewing in the agricultural world. At the end of October, farmers covered several radars in the Aix-en-Provence sector, in Bouches-du-Rhône. They expect rapid action, after last winter's mobilization and the vote in April for a orientation law for agricultural sovereignty.
Yellow hat with the logo of Rural Coordination, the third agricultural union in France, screwed on his head, Lilian says he is ready to mobilize too. Like his neighbor, Philippe Mouranchon. He perseveres in the apple. In particular, he planted more profitable varieties, such as “Pink lady” sold for 60 cents per kilo.
He doesn't see “no improvement” after last winter's crisis and the measures taken by the Attal government. Like the cancellation of the increase in diesel and cash flow aid. Progress which is not enough to calm Philippe's anger. “We had to have less administration, and it’s getting worse and worse.”
Like Lilian, he points out problems in recruiting agricultural workers. “Fewer and fewer people want to do the work. If we increase salaries, we can no longer live.”
In Poland, one of France's main competitors for apple production, the gross minimum wage is 978 euros, compared to 1,801 euros in France. “We are not fighting with the same weapons, it's unfair competition. Here, fewer and fewer phytosanitary products are authorized while our European neighbors are entitled to them. It's discouraging.”
“No matter how much we say, we have to produce French, we have to eat French… When cheaper apples arrive from abroad, the choice for the consumer is quickly made…”
Lilian and Philippe both participated in a rural coordination meeting this Tuesday 12th, at the Roubereau village hall. Among the thirty participants, members of the union, but also farmers registered with the FNSEA or not unionized.
On the agenda, possible actions to be carried out from November 19, the day of national mobilization of rural coordination. “The slogan is to confront the French and the public authorities with the failure of agriculture. That customers can no longer help themselves in supermarkets”specifies Serge Jousselme, president of rural coordination 05.
He is convinced “the movement will grow. The problems have increased this year with the climate problems we have had, and especially the inaction of politicians, with the dissolution and this failed agricultural orientation law”. For the moment, the union is listing the farmers' grievances which it will transmit to the prefect.
In other departments, farmers have decided to mobilize this week. This is the case in Bouches-du-Rhône. Rural coordination plans to block a large-scale distribution logistics platform in Rousset.
For its part, the FNSEA also calls for mobilization, starting November 18. The union is particularly concerned about the free trade agreements currently being negotiated between the European Union and the Mercosur countries in Latin America. For farmers, this agreement would open the European market to products from countries where health and social standards are not as strict.
To try to contain agricultural anger, the Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard announced the strengthening of measures already taken to relieve the cash flow of farmers in difficulty.
This new mobilization arises in a particular context for the profession. In January 2025, elections for representatives of the chambers of agriculture will be held. Historically, the FNSEA holds the majority of positions. A new agricultural movement can be a way for unions to mobilize… And convince people to vote.
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