“In the context of the economic, social and moral crisis which is hitting the agricultural world hard”the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA) and its ally, Young Farmers (JA), “request an emergency appointment to ask [à François Bayrou] the immediate resumption of work allowing us to respect the promises made” during the sector’s protest movement last winter, the two unions said in a press release.
The fall of the Barnier government once again suspended the implementation of measures promised to farmers, who relaunched their actions in mid-November. “I expect from François Bayrou a strong commitment to agricultural issues from the very first moments of taking office”declared Friday the president of the FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau.
FNSEA and JA call “with a certain gravity (…) to a rapid registration for the examination in Parliament of impatiently awaited tax provisions to improve the competitiveness and resilience of farms”. The finance bill presented by Michel Barnier notably included reductions in charges for casual workers, installation aid, the adoption of a reform of farmers’ pensions, etc.
Mr. Bayrou, for his part, often highlights his peasant origins. He also posed behind the wheel of a tractor during his presidential campaign in 2007. During a visit to the Agricultural Show in 2018, the president of MoDem defined himself as “very close, very intimate” farmers. He then shared at least in part their fears of a possible EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. A subject which, six years later, is once again at the heart of agricultural anger.
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