Will the drought lead to a shortage of milk in the coming months?
This is the alert launched in an interview with France info by the president of the economic commission of the FNSEA, Yannick Fialip, while France is going through an unprecedented period of drought.
"To make milk, you need fodder, mainly alfalfa and corn, which have grown little this year," he explains.
“We have animals, which are usually in the meadows during this period, which have nothing left to eat”, indicates the representative of the agricultural union.
And to continue: “You have to bring fodder stored this spring, which was intended to feed the animals in winter, which is used from July and August.
(…) We are very worried about the capacity of many breeders to be able to feed their herds throughout the winter of 2022-2023.
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In mainland France, 93 out of 96 departments are subject to water restrictions to varying degrees and 66 are "in crisis", while a new period of high heat is expected in the coming days.
By mid-August, "it is very likely that this drought of the soil will worsen further in a large number of regions", warned Friday Météo France, which expects a further rise in temperatures from Sunday.
What solution, then?
“We have to be able to activate the calamity fund in a good number of departments to give cash to breeders”, replies Yannick Fialip.
This aid “would make it possible to buy fodder, financed 50% by the breeders and 50% by the State”, continues the trade unionist, also asking for an increase in the price of milk.