breeder Jérôme Bayle warns of the “survival” of a “divided” agricultural world

Jérôme Bayle is sounding the alarm. Leading figure of the agricultural mobilization last winter, the Occitan breeder invited Tuesday to the National Assembly, called on deputies to vote against the free trade treaty between the European Union and Mercosur, which threatens the “survival” of an agricultural world “dividing”. “This agreement will be the straw that will explode the anger of French voters if the Head of State does not take strong measures with the support of French deputies”declared Mr. Bayle, invited by two deputies a few hours before a debate followed by a vote in the hemicycle. Under the gold and fedoras of the Bourbon Palace, the man who accompanied Gabriel Attal in January among the tractors and straw bales of the emblematic A64 dam, described the negotiation of an agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) as the ultimate red line for farmers.

“It’s our survival that is at stake”he said at a press conference, after speaking with Ecologist-Nupes MP Marie Pochon and Horizons MP Loïc Kervran. With his cap screwed on his head, this unionized breeder regretted the outbidding between the majority union FNSEA/JA and Coordination Rurale, who are engaged in fierce competition in the street and through intermediary declarations, before their professional elections at the start of 2025. “Today, everyone is showing their muscles”said the Occitan breeder. “In despair, there are people who want to recover the movements, and the agricultural world is dividing instead of uniting”he added. Mr. Bayle called on political leaders to dialogue with “small farmers”a group he claims to belong to, and whose voice is not sufficiently carried by unions “on a political campaign”he estimated. “We must recreate a dialogue between politicians and farmers and especially with the grassroots”he launched, insisting on the responsibility of deputies to meet the expectations of the sector, first and foremost simplifying “the gas factory” administrative procedures.