In the midst of cows, Parisian for a week, Emmanuel Macron inaugurates in Paris the 57th International Agricultural Show (SIA), shaken by environmental controversies, and the failure Friday night of crucial European negotiations for farmers.
As soon as he arrived in the aisles of the show, around 8:15 a.m., the Head of State was arrested by around twenty Young Farmers. "I do not take care of the agricultural world only the week of the fair," assured Emmanuel Macron.
As soon as he arrives at the agricultural show, at 8:15 a.m., Emmanuel Macron is challenged by twenty Young Farmers # SIA2020 pic.twitter.com/V9A9DRraPZ
- Jean-Paul Sportiello (@jp_sportiello) February 22, 2020After the 14 hours spent last year in the aisles of the show, the Elysée has already warned that the president "does not place himself in the perspective of a record to beat". But he intends to go "to meet those who have the most marked concerns", often linked to the international context.
After an obligatory passage in front of the muse of the show, the Charolais ideal cow arrived Friday in Paris from its meadows of Cours-la-Ville (Rhône), Emmanuel Macron will meet breeders, a profession very fragile economically.
Mass distribution under pressure
Deprived of profitable outlets and dependent on an all-powerful actor, the Bigard slaughterhouse group, cattle breeders are currently trying to develop their exports, helped by the Elysée Palace which supported them during Emmanuel Macron's last trip to China. .
The president will also go to meet the winegrowers, affected by punitive American customs sanctions and who are claiming a compensation fund of 300 million euros to cover the shortfall on their exports to the United States, their first client, or still the fishermen whom Brexit risks depriving a large part of their livelihood.
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He will have lunch with the main representatives of the agricultural professions, whose balance is largely based on the nine billion European aid that France receives. On this occasion, he will also be able to provide an update on the implementation of the Food Law and on the evolution of the attitude of large retailers towards producers.
Pesticides near homes
Hot topic for farmers, the president will probably be arrested on the pesticide non-treatment areas (ZNT) near homes, set up by the government since January 1 and challenged by many farmers who fear a loss of income.
Emmanuel Macron also planned to visit the stand of the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), resulting from the recent merger between the Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) and the Irstea Institute.
As a sign that the agroecological transition is underway in the face of global warming, 24 European research organizations should co-sign Sunday at the show a commitment on the agroecological transition and alternatives to chemical pesticides.
