The Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, denounced Thursday during a trip to Brittany, the
“lack of patriotism”
of mass distribution which is
“discarding”
its responsibilities in terms of food sovereignty.
“Large distribution is French companies.
So either they are French, or they are stateless multinationals.
But, finally, they have responsibilities to take before us
,” declared Mr. Fesneau, during a visit to a farm in Mahalon, on Cap Sizun (Finistère).
“Everyone must take their part (...) They do not consider that they are French, it is a lack of patriotism.
I regret that
,” continued the minister.
“When you are French, you defend France. When you defend France, you defend French agriculture
,” he insisted.
“It's still people who went all the way to explain to us in the fall that the right price was the low price and that, if they couldn't find French products, they would go to the stranger.
“It should not be surprising that this raises some questions in the agricultural world
,” Mr. Fesneau also noted, saying he hopes that mass distribution groups
“do not turn away from an objective of sovereignty
. ”
“I hope they are interested to know that we have agriculture in France.
They have responsibilities, they must not shirk their responsibilities
,” he assured.
Asked about the Egalim bill, which would be the fourth version of the text intended to prevent farmers from being paid below their production price, the minister regretted that some, “
as soon as we make a law, try to circumvent it”
.
After visiting the farm, the minister met professional agricultural organizations as part of a working meeting.