Michel Barnier announced, on Friday, October 4, “an endowment of 75 million euros” for sheep farmers, whose flocks are decimated by a new epizootic, and promised “Loans guaranteed by the State for farms that need them”of the Cournon-d’Auvergne Livestock Summit (Puy-de-Dôme).
Emergency aid is intended, in particular, for “deal with FCO [fièvre catarrhale ovine] serotype 3 »a new serotype “that is emerging and is not taken into account” in the existing compensation systems, the Prime Minister explained to the press, speaking in front of a bale of straw, like his predecessor Gabriel Attal, at the end of January, in the middle of the agricultural crisis.
After wandering through the hallways for several hours, a “long discussion” With representatives of the various agricultural unions, Michel Barnier announced guaranteed loans. “for farms that are currently in serious difficulties and that need oxygen”responding to a strong demand from the majority union FNSEA. “With the available banks, of which there are many that are partners in the agricultural world, we will organize this system of loans at rates guaranteed by the State for the farms that need it”said.
First measures announced
Alerted the “the contradictions” of “Regulations that fall from above, sometimes from Brussels, sometimes from Paris, and that do not adapt to the terrain”announced a first measure, with the postponement of 1Ahem October to November 15 term “for all recreational work on farms”. A measure presented as common sense while the fields are currently “waterlogged”preventing work in many departments.
Ensure not to have “not forgotten” After the anger of farmers last winter, the former Minister of Agriculture reaffirmed that the agricultural guidance law, approved in May in the National Assembly, will continue its journey in the Senate, where it will be approved “placed on the January agenda, as soon as possible after the budget”.
Long awaited by the sector, this law of guidance for sovereignty in agricultural matters and generational renewal in agriculture (LOA) must implement a large part of the demands expressed during the demonstrations at the beginning of the year. The text, in particular, places agriculture as a great general interest, creates a single window for the installation of new farmers and facilitates the construction of livestock buildings or water reserves.
