facing Mercosur, Lozère wants to bet on the quality of its agriculture

Mercosur is today at the heart of the agricultural protest. This free trade agreement between several South American countries and the European Union could be signed by the end of the year. It will promote the importation of agricultural products into France, in particular meat. This provokes the anger of farmers, especially in Lozère where livestock farming represents 90% of agriculture.

Some mornings, like here in Saint-Etienne-du-Valdonnez in Lozère, the weather is bad enough to put a cow outside. Those of Jean-François Maurin are warm inside. “We brought them in this week, because of the snow, it's very recent!

The breeder takes great care of his Aubracs, which he feeds with cereals grown on his farm. “I know what I'm doing, as I'm the one who produces the products, I have no surprises“, comments the breeder.

Jean-François is sure of his practice, but he is worried today. Because soon, its livestock raised on good grain could find itself in direct competition with meat from Brazil.

The country is the world's second largest producer of beef, and thanks to its giant farms and its hormone-doped animals, its price is much lower than what Jean-François offers. “In fact, growth hormones develop muscles, so the animals are much more muscular and therefore feed costs are much lower. They are winners on this, notes Jean-François.

An effective practice, but illegal in France since 1988.

This foreign meat could end up on the French market thanks to Mercosur, a free trade agreement between the European Union and several South American countries which could be signed by the end of the year. He plans to remove customs duties on agricultural products or new cars.

One hundred thousand tonnes of Brazilian beef should thus return to French territory. A competition that annoys the Lozérien, because the standards are not the same.

Unlike South Americans, for example, he must record the entire life of his animals in a file for perfect traceability. A heavy administrative task.

“We are completely incomprehensible because we are trying to work as best as possible. But Europe forces you to respect specifications and at the same time, it brings meat into Europe which does not respect the same rules at all. It's an aberration, it's not normal.” protests the Lozérien breeder.

Jean-François Maurin fears above all that this foreign meat will cause French market prices to fall, and worsen the agricultural crisis.

But in Lozère, the entire sector does not share this concern. This local slaughterhouse easily opened its doors to France 3 Occitanie to prove that in the department, high-end meat is produced, far from an intensive and industrial model.

“We try to be as respectful of the animal as possible. The animal is intended to be consumed. There is this phase which is inevitable and no machine can replace man. You might as well be as respectful as possible to optimize the quality of the meat.” assures Olivier Racaud, director of the Gévaudan slaughterhouse.

Here, no brutal methods or oppressive noises. From breeding to slaughter, Lozère beef or pork therefore has nothing to do with cheap meat according to the director.

“You can see it by the color of the meat, it is very red. It's not industrial pork, it's free-range pork, in terms of taste, in terms of meat quality, in terms of conservation.” specifies the director.

And with its various quality labels such as the Aubrac red label, the department's products have always been able to appeal to demanding consumers, despite their high prices.

“This is what has always allowed us to do well. This year, the slaughterhouse is progressing, we are not regressing despite a very unfavorable national situation. For the future, we will always rely on this notion of quality to continue our development.” he concludes.

An encouraging prospect for an entire department, because the stakes are high. In Lozère, livestock farming represents 90% of agricultural activity.

Written with David Emilien.