The International Agricultural Show (SIA) organized in Paris from February 24 to March 3 will perhaps be an opportunity
for “exchanges a little more muscular than usual, perhaps invectives”
with political leaders ,
“but it will remain a place of exchange”
, assured its president Jean-Luc Poulain on Saturday on RMC radio.
It
“will remain a place of exchange between politicians and farmers”
, he insisted, after two weeks of massive mobilization of French farmers, and while the last major dams were evacuated on Saturday by the forces of the order in peace.
Jean-Luc Poulain dismissed the idea of blocking this very popular annual meeting of politicians, and always inaugurated by the President of the Republic.
“The show is the communication tool for farmers.
I don't see what the point is in hindering or breaking it, even if I understand the anger
,” added the farmer, for whom this will be his last show as president after ten years in office.
He also said he
“understands”
the need to take action during this highly publicized moment.
“We already experienced this with dairy farmers around ten years ago
,” he recalled.
“We understand that it is a place of expression because it is a place that is in the spotlight and covered in the media.
We can express ourselves in the show while maintaining the smooth running of the show
,” he hoped.
Also read: Farmers threaten to boycott the Agricultural Show
“The fight is not over”
On the measures put on the table by the government to appease the anger of farmers, Jean-Luc Poulain recognized that
“yes, there are relief measures which are more intended for plant production than animal production, that is 'is right.
However, the fight is for everyone.
And then it’s not finished.”
Thursday, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal drew up a series of measures such as the pausing of the Ecophyto plan aimed at reducing the use of pesticides, a strengthening of the Egalim law to ensure decent income for producers and an early reimbursement of taxes on fuel.
Most of the roadblocks were lifted on Friday and the last of the Peasant Confederation are being evacuated by the police, peacefully, on Saturday morning.
For the 60th edition of the agricultural show, its president expects 600,000 visitors and even
“perhaps a little more, because with this agricultural crisis, as we have seen, sympathy, empathy for farmers is anchored and deep among the French
.