Sully-sur-Loire (France) (AFP) – Pesticide management, arms of representatives of the Office of Biodiversity: Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard announced on Saturday, in the context of agricultural discontent, a series of measures that targeting “the burdens” which, according to her, are putting pressure on the department.
“Farmers are tired of the prohibitions, the procedures, the standards,” she told AFP.
“These are serious burdens that have accumulated to undermine the competitiveness of farms,” she said, before listing a series of measures, including the creation of a “Conseil Directive for crop protection”.
Created by decree, this Council, chaired by the minister and bringing together stakeholders including farmers, research institutes and manufacturers of phytosanitary products, aims to “prioritize to the guidelines” by the Health Safety Agency (ANSES) about applications for admission, according to the needs of the agricultural sectors.
In other words, for ANSES it will be a matter of moving requests to put specific products on the market to the top of the hill, to meet the needs that are urgent for some crops.
“We ask Anses to work as a priority on orphaned or poorly supplied practices,” said the minister. Plant protection companies will be able to “provide technical expertise because they are the ones who develop the products”.
According to the merits of the decisions (authority or prohibition), “it is not a question of dictating the decisions to ANSES, which is an independent body,” she told AFP.
“I think the path to less + phyto + is a path of no return. But for the sectors that are in crisis, we need ANSES to prioritize their work to respond,” she explained.
This order must also “develop the information of the ministry (…) about the draft decisions of Anses”. It must also “ask ANSES to facilitate mutual recognition” of products already authorized at European level.
ANSES is in the view of some unions for having banned or prohibited the use of certain pesticides before this was the case in the EU.
These announcements are “going in the right direction”, welcomed the FNSEA and the Young Farmers in a press release. But “the simplified work is far from finished” and farmers are waiting for an “urgent translation of these announcements so that they have a concrete impact on their daily lives”, they said.
“Refresh the conversation”
Ms Genevard announced these measures in the context of agricultural discontent and during her visit on Saturday to a dairy farm in the Loiret, where she said she was “listening”, in front of around twenty farmers .
“In this time of crisis and doubt, I want to be by your side,” Ms. Genevard addressed them. “We are making farmers lose the true meaning of their job,” she said. “It is urgent to renew the communication.”
In the case of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB), which has the role of environmental police and may act as agents against armed men, the Director General must “Immediately ensure military authorization in case of control it. It’s a big concern” for farmers, according to Ms Genevard.
There will be “progressive use on an experimental basis (…) of wearing a pedestrian camera”.
This news comes when the board of directors of the OFB asked the government to reverse the job cuts and limit the reduction in the workforce that was planned in the first budget for 2025.
Another step, “a circular to senior officials to increase the management capacities in breeding projects, to shorten deadlines and favor educational controls for those who have recently been sent”.
Setting dates for agricultural work will be done at the local level and measure will prevent the same document from being requested several times by administration.
Ms Genevard plans to meet with the unions every month for a new “simplification meeting”. Aim, “to overcome, systematically, all the obstacles to production”, according to her.
2024-12-01 14:42:00
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## Expert Interview: Deciphering France’s New Pesticide Management Approach
Good morning, Professor dupont. The French government has announced a new approach to pesticide management, which seems to be causing quite a stir. Can you help our readers understand the key points?
**Professor Dupont, Agricultural Policy Expert:**
Good morning. Yes, Minister Genevard’s announcement certainly throws a spotlight on the ongoing tension between agricultural needs and environmental protection.
Essentially, the government is aiming to ease the “burdens” felt by farmers, particularly concerning pesticide use. The new measures, like the proposed “Conseil Directive for crop protection,” suggest a shift towards a more collaborative approach.
**World Today News:** Could you elaborate on this “Conseil Directive”?
**Professor Dupont:**
Absolutely. This Council,led by the Agriculture Minister and comprising farmers,researchers,and pesticide manufacturers,will essentially review the guidelines set by the ANSES (French Agency for Food,Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety). The aim, as stated, is to prioritize thes guidelines based on the specific needs of different agricultural sectors.
**World Today News:** This raises concerns about the potential for industry influence. How do you see this playing out?
**Professor Dupont:** This is a valid concern. The involvement of pesticide manufacturers does raise questions about potential conflicts of interest.It’s crucial that this council operates with transparency and prioritizes the health and safety of both farmers and consumers alongside agricultural productivity.
So, a balancing act is needed?
**Professor Dupont:** Precisely. Finding that balance is critical. We need sustainable agricultural practices that protect both human health and the environment. Simply easing regulations without considering these broader implications could have detrimental consequences.
The minister mentioned “tiredness” among farmers regarding prohibitions and procedures. How do you see this sentiment impacting the future of agriculture in France?
**Professor Dupont:** Farmer fatigue is a serious issue. Years of tightening regulations, coupled with volatile market prices and climate challenges, have undoubtedly taken a toll.
It’s crucial to address these concerns but not at the expense of crucial environmental safeguards. Open dialog, scientific evidence-based decision making, and financial support for farmers transitioning to more sustainable practices are essential for a thriving agricultural sector in the long run.
Thank you, Professor Dupont, for shedding light on this important issue. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate these complex challenges.
