Dilemma at the supermarket.
To support the farmers who have been demonstrating for ten days to obtain measures and recognition from the State, consumers are particularly called upon to buy local products.
Faced with the confusion that the profusion of labels can cause, we take stock of what we can choose to help, without spending hours on the shelves.
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Official labels for trust and quality
At the top of the list of the most cited labels to guarantee product quality and fair remuneration for farmers: official labels.
Some are only recognized in France, others throughout the European Union.
“We can be trusted, they still have the advantage of being managed by the Ministry of Agriculture,” notes Olivier Dauvers, founder of the site Le Web Grande Conso, specializing in mass consumption.
From the famous AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) to the Red Label, including AOC (Controlled Designation of Origin), IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) or AB (Organic Farming), Quality Certification, STG (Traditional Specialty Guaranteed)… Seven Official labels serve as a reference in supermarkets.
“They guarantee at least French origin and a level of production that is controlled and certified.”
Furthermore, if these official labels constitute guarantees for consumers, they are not dedicated to the best remuneration of producers.
“AOC or Label Rouge… This does not guarantee that the breeder is well paid, but that the product has been developed under specific rules or in a particular territory.
It is not the same thing: there are signs of quality which guarantee an income and others which guarantee an origin.
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Labels guaranteeing French fair trade
Unofficial labels also focus on the guarantees offered to producers.
This is the case of “Who’s the boss”.
In full mobilization of farmers, he reiterates his promise and offers a higher standard of living to producers.
The label is based on consumer votes.
They themselves decide on the criteria allowing products to be labeled “Who’s the boss”.
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“This guarantees that the breeder is well paid,” notes Olivier Dauvers.
For example, the remuneration is 490 euros per tonne of milk, compared to 420 euros for traditional dairies.”
Another approach which ensures fair remuneration for breeders, Responsible milkmen, with precise figures for the price of milk and the time of cows on pasture.
The Fair France label also devotes particular attention to the remuneration of farmers: “It is a guarantee that the breeder is better paid than the average”.
Other labels of this type, such as Agra Ethique France, Bio Equitable in France, Fair for Life or Max Havelaar promise consumers that the entire production chain is fairly remunerated.
Note that some of the products, depending on the labels, may come from other countries and therefore benefit foreign producers - a criterion to monitor if the goal is to help French farmers specifically.
Large distribution
In mass distribution too, ranges exist to allow farmers to be better paid.
“This is the case with the “Merci” range from Intermarché.
Farmers are paid better than if they were not in that range.
Their remuneration is even written on the labels,” explains the specialist.
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In the same vein, the Leclerc brand offers a “Engaged” range, with twenty products which support producers and breeders through better remuneration.
Other initiatives of the chain also commit to sourcing from local producers (Local alliances) or helping French farms (Support our farmers), for thirty products from the Flagship Brand.
Things to remember to support farmers from the shelves of supermarkets: official labels, guaranteed without missteps, and those dedicated to fair trade and which put producers at the center of their thinking.