The second largest agricultural union in France came to amplify the movement on the second day of the new mobilization of still angry farmers. This time, we will not leave without “concrete solutions”, warns Véronique Le Floc’h. “We ask for prices, not bonuses.”
Article written by franceinfo – with France Bleu Poitou
Radio France
Published on 11/19/2024 08:37 Updated on 11/19/2024 09:55
Reading time: 2min
Véronique Le Floc’h, president of Rural Coordination, January 23, 2024. (IAN LANGSDON / AFP)
“We are ready to last”warns Tuesday November 19 on France Bleu PoitouVéronique Le Floc’h, president of Rural Coordination (CR). The union joins the agricultural protest movement, relaunched on Monday by the FNSEA and the Young Farmers as it begins its national congress at Futuroscope (Vienna) on Tuesday and until Wednesday.
Rural Coordination therefore enters “on the ground” starting Tuesday. “We would have liked to act earlier and stronger but the harvests also need to be ensured,” explains Véronique Le Floc’h who reminds us that “the CR has not yet remained behind. Last week we still had mobilizations in Hérault. Rural Coordination has been on the ground for a year.” On the other hand, this time, promises Véronique Le Floc’h, “we want concrete solutions and this time we will get them, otherwise it will continue”.
To respond to the anger of farmers during the crisis last winter, emergency aid and the first simplification measures were taken but “we ask for prices, not bonuses”retorts the president of Rural Coordination. “We want to live well”that’s to say “to have income”, she insists.
Tuesday, activists from the Rural Coordination will “surround” prefectures “with our list of grievances” et “wait for final answers from our prefects and our administrations”, she explains. The president of this agricultural union mentions “a second step” aimed at “to meet all those who live on the backs of farmers” et “that we don’t hear today”. Véronique Le Floc’h specifies that industrialists, cooperatives “are part of the lot” but also “purchasing centers, banks…” She refuses to say more about the type of actions envisaged.
This new agricultural mobilization is taking place against a backdrop of union rivalries, between the FNSEA, in the majority, and the Rural Coordination, in the run-up to the elections to the Chambers of Agriculture in January 2025. “We are the first 100% farmers’ agricultural union” while “the FNSEA is a union that defends agro-industry”tackle Véronique Le Floc’h. For these January elections, “that’s another subject”, she believes but “in any case, our farmers must not make mistakes. It’s a referendum: either we stay with the system as it is today and in less than ten years, there will only be 450,000 left farms or we want a system like ours”the one defended by Rural Coordination. “We are in good shape and we are strong,” she warned.
What are the main reasons behind the recent protests and strikes by farmers in France?
1. Can you talk about the current state of the agricultural sector in France and the key issues facing farmers that have led to the recent protests and strikes?
2. What specific solutions is Rural Coordination seeking from the government to address the financial difficulties faced by farmers, particularly in relation to prices?
3. How does the role of industrialists, cooperatives, and purchasing centers affect the profitability of farms in France, and what actions do you believe they should take to support struggling agricultural communities?
4. Given the ongoing rivalries between Rural Coordination and the FNSEA, how do you think these elections will impact the future of agricultural policy and support in France? Do you think the proposed reforms from Rural Coordination will be effectively implemented by a new administration?
5. What are some of the challenges faced by smaller, less-industrialized farms, and how can policymakers and other stakeholders better support them to ensure their survival and success?
