“We have promises but nothing is moving forward”, two purchasing centers blocked in Haute-Savoie

Around fifty farmers have been blocking two purchasing centers in Haute-Savoie, those of Alby-sur-Chéran and Rumilly, since Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. Objective of this mobilization: to put pressure on the government to obtain concrete measures.

“We want no trucks to enter or leave the plant”says Jérémy Bechet, beekeeper in Sciez, in Haute-Savoie. Currently, around fifty farmers and their tractors are on site to prevent the comings and goings of supply trucks at the two purchasing centers, in Alby-sur-Chéran and Rumilly.

“Our goal is not to annoy the population, but we know that these power plants are players between the consumer and the producer. They are among those who can intervene to find ways for producers to live,” explains Christian Convers, the national general secretary of Rural Coordination.

“Our demands have not changed since February,” adds Jérémy Béchet, the beekeeper. He deplores massive imports which weaken his sector: “I produce honey and I want us to stop importing and selling products that do not meet the standards that are imposed on us in France today. In supermarkets, we find honey at 8 euros per kilo, but it’s honey that comes from Bulgaria, Romania, Brazil”explains the beekeeper.

Among the other demands: the need for a decent income and direct opposition to the EU's proposed free trade treaty with the Mercosur countries. “This agreement on Mercosur is unhearable to farmers”, explains Christian Convers.

This agreement aims to eliminate almost all customs duties applied to trade between the EU and Mercosur (the common market which brings together Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia). It could impact several sectors in particular: the suckling cattle and dairy sector, poultry and also honey.

To put an end to the movement, farmers are demanding an end to announcements and the start of concrete actions from the government: “For a year, we have had promises, we have the impression that everyone agrees with us, but that nothing is moving forward,” regrets Christian Convers.

In particular, they want signatures from the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, on commitments concerning the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.

This Monday morning, the Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard reiterated her support for this profession hit hard by climatic hazards and epidemics. On France Inter, she declared that “the concrete things, the farmers would see it very quickly”ensuring that “the first disbursements for farmers in difficulty will be made before the end of the year”. “Cash flow support is essentialadded the minister, when you no longer have income, it's anxiety, dismay. And we cannot leave farmers in this situation.” she concluded.

In the meantime, the farmers of Haute-Savoie plan to block these purchasing centers for two days, and if nothing changes, “other actions will emerge”, warns Christian Convers.