Annie Genevard, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, was the guest of France Bleu Besançon on Monday morning, while farmers launched a new national mobilization throughout the country. She notably recalled her opposition to Mercosur.
Annie Genevard renews her opposition to Mercosur, this free trade treaty with the countries of South America. The Minister of Agriculture
was the guest of France Bleu Besançon Monday morning. She explained that negotiations were currently taking place with countries of the European Union in order to constitute “a veto minority”. Friday, on the move to Besançonshe had already explained: “We are not compromising on sovereignty and we are not giving in to international competition in the sectors that make us proud.”
Mercosur “crystallizes the deep discontent of farmers”
Annie Genevard revealed that bilateral discussions, between France and other countries of the European Union, are underway behind the scenes in order to weigh up and reject Mercosur. “We are not alone in this fight, there are several countries asking themselves exactly the same questions as us. (…) There is intense diplomatic work being done today. I am in touch with my counterparts from the Netherlands and Italy and I will soon have a bilateral discussion with the Polish Minister of Agriculture. We are trying, we are striving to form a veto minority on this agreement which is not a good one. agreement and which crystallizes, I believe, the deep discontent farmers. This is the work we are doing so that we can rally a number of countries to our cause.”
A crisis of confidence in the agricultural world
Furthermore, the minister recalled a context which weakens the agricultural world: “health crises affecting farms which cause mortality in the cattle industry”, “absolutely terrible weather conditions”, “floods”.
Faced with this, despite “300 million in social and tax relief” or “the reform of agricultural pensions, taking into account the best 25 years” et “single administrative control”, Annie Genevard recognizes a deep crisis of confidence in the agricultural world. “I think it takes time for all these measures to arrive in the farmyards. And that is extremely important. This is the reason why I am putting my entire administration under pressure so that the decisions we take are quickly put in place and find their translation in farmyards and in treasuries But beyond that, I think that there is a profound crisis of confidence in the agricultural world with regard to the way in which they sometimes do. feel mistreated by an overly finicky administration, (…) by the criticisms that are constantly made to them for what would be non-respect for the environment While French agriculture is one of the most demanding and one of the most virtuous in the world. has to renew this bond of trust with the agricultural world. It is important, it is essential to feed the population and for our food sovereignty.
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