Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Sunday that he was considering “additional” measures, at national and European levels, to protect farmers against unfair competition from other countries which are not subject to the same regulatory constraints.
“I want us to clarify things and see what additional measures we can take on these stories of unfair competition,” he declared during a visit to a farm in Parçay. -Meslay, in Indre-et-Loire.
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“It is not normal that you are prevented from using certain products”, while “neighboring countries, Italy or others” can use them, said the head of government, seeking to respond to one of the demands angry farmers.
Engaged in a heated discussion with several farmers, Gabriel Attal did not give further details on the measures that could be taken.
These environmental regulatory constraints mainly affect phytosanitary products that French farmers can no longer use.
“I know very well that, through these first measures (announced on Friday, Editor's note), we have not yet responded to everything that I have just mentioned and what constitutes the discomfort and uneasiness of our farmers today. today.
And I am determined to move forward, move forward resolutely, move forward quickly,” the Prime Minister then declared during a greeting ceremony in La Riche (Indre-et-Loire).
“Obviously we have to move”
In this exercise aimed once again at reassuring farmers who threaten to block the main access to Paris, he recalled the emergency measures that he had announced on Friday on a farm in Haute-Garonne, such as the cancellation of the increase in non-road diesel (NGR) and an administrative “simplification shock”.
Faced with the rejection by farmers of free trade agreements between the EU and other economic zones, he reaffirmed that France would oppose as it stands that with the Latin American countries of Mercosur.
“Developing our agriculture means producing and regaining our food sovereignty.
We must stop importing products that we could make at home,” assured Gabriel Attal.
He added that progress was possible on other areas of farmer discontent.
“I am convinced that in the coming days, in the coming weeks, we will show that we are capable of making further progress on the fallows.
Obviously we have to move on this,” he said.
VIDEO.
Anger of farmers: simplification, diesel, emergency aid... Gabriel Attal's announcements
French farmers are contesting the European Green Deal which provides for a “decrease trajectory of around 15%” in agricultural production, as well as Brussels' refusal to extend the derogation allowing fallow land to be cultivated until 2024 ( approximately 4% of arable land).
Gabriel Attal also mentioned the upcoming publication of a report on farmers' retirement.
During his exchange, the Prime Minister was warned by the president of the FDSEA of Indre-et-Loire, Frédérique Alexandre.
“What French agriculture do you want?
I don't understand.
Because we don’t understand, we’re here, we’re in trouble,” she told him.
“Please know that if you had not come, the department, I think, would have been on fire this morning,” she added.