The orchard of Mas de Carthagène did not escape the black frost, which affected many farmers in France and Hérault, on the night of Wednesday 7 to Thursday 8 April 2021. Over 80% of flowers and fruits were burned.
This Tuesday, April 13, 2021, the Prefect of Hérault, elected officials and representatives of the agricultural world met on the farm to observe the damage and discuss the financial help that could be put in place to support professionals.
Fruit trees ravaged by frost
When he discovered the extent of the damage, Christophe Weiss, owner of the operation since 1998, was first shocked and then worried. Usually it produces on average 1,800 tonnes of apples per year.
This year, he obviously expects a very low quantity. And he doesn’t rely much on some surviving apples. “They will surely be damaged by frost, explains the arborist. We may not even be able to sell them in stores …“
If the state doesn’t help us, I think I’ll file for bankruptcy – Christophe Weiss, owner of Mas de Carthagène
He plans not to hire seasonal workers this year or even to put his two permanent colleagues on partial unemployment. “I will do everything to save the slightest euro“, he blurted. Difficult to quantify the sum of money that will be lacking, but it is counted in hundred thousand euros.
The state has promised to support farmers with the activation of the agricultural calamity fund (for those who can take out insurance, such as arborists) and “exceptional aid”.
This Monday, the president of the Chamber of Agriculture of Hérault participated in a government meeting in which he brought several claims. “We asked that the agricultural calamity fund be more abundant, a blank year for social contributions and for bank charges as well as funding for technical unemployment., explains Jérôme Despey. Beyond messages of compassion, farmers need concrete action!“
It’s a disaster. If we were in the 17th century, we would be in a time of scarcity – Jacques Witkowski, prefect of Hérault
At the level of the department, local communities are trying to organize themselves. Two support funds are in the pipeline. One would be supplemented by agglomerations and communities of municipalities. The Montpellier Metropolis has already announced that it will participate. The second would be financed by the municipalities. “About fifteen municipalities have already contacted me but I am sure that the majority of them will participate “, says Frédéric Roig, president of the association of mayors of the Hérault. The Prefect of the Hérault has yet to give his endorsement.
Insurance against climatic hazards?
But this black frost is not the first disaster nor surely the last that we will face. “There have been episodes of frost, hail, drought, heatwave, recalls Jérôme Despey, president of the Chamber of Agriculture of Hérault. And it will start again. We cannot sit idly by, telling ourselves that we do not have enough to compensate farmers properly!“
Jérôme Despey wishes to set up insurance, in which all farmers and the State would participate, to cover all professionals when other disasters of this type occur. “We need insurance to be able to sleep more peacefully“, agrees Christophe Weiss, the owner of Mas de Carthagène. Proposal heard by the fifty people present this Tuesday morning, in particular the Prefect of Hérault. An idea on which Frédéric Descrozaille, deputy of Val-de-Marne is working.
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