Agriculture: the motions of the Lozère departmental council against the wolf and Mercosur

Against Mercorsur

The president of the Lozère departmental council and the elected representatives of the departmental assembly, in a motion, say they are concerned about the possibility of a free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market ( Mercosur) on the agricultural aspect.

“This agreement would allow the massive arrival of South American foodstuffs on the French market, resulting in unfair competition for our farmers. Agriculture is a pillar of the departmental economy. It represents the second sector of the economy in Lozère.“

He specifies: “Agricultural production in Lozère is mainly focused on sheep and cattle breeding. Breeders would face direct competition from those in Argentina and Brazil who promote the industrial farm model. […] The Department supports quality local agriculture against that imported from the ends of the world and which does not respect any social and environmental standards.”

The Department therefore asks the government “to oppose the conclusion of the agreement […] and to exercise France's right of veto during the vote in the Council of the European Union“.

The Lozère Chamber of Agriculture has also taken a motion to this effect on its side.

Regarding the wolf

In the introduction to its motion, the departmental council considers that due to the local breeding model, sheep herds are generally not protectable in Lozère, and that “fences, patous… have shown their limits since the herds are still predated“.

He continues: “The permanent presence of the wolf is incompatible with the local management of extensive breeding, particularly sheep, in our mid-mountains. […] In Lozère, as in neighboring mid-mountain departments, the problem of predation by wolves (or hybrids) is particularly serious and causes distress for breeders.“

The motion points “the risk of decline in agricultural activity and consequently tourism, essential to the economy of our rural territories and the maintenance of landscapes, the questioning of the viability of farms and the discouragement for transmissions or new installations“. And adds: “The wolf calls into question an entire breeding system and, with it, an entire ecosystem and other elements of biodiversity.“

The departmental assembly therefore requests the revision of the status of the lupine species from “strictly protected” to “protected” on the occasion of the next standing committee of the Berne Convention in Strasbourg, and that France take a favorable position on this proposal.