Ensuring farmers' rights

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced that the government will draft a new bill next summer to guarantee better prices for farmers, strengthening their position in negotiations with retailers and consumer goods companies.

Mr Attal made the announcement while updating the Egalim law in a speech aimed at easing tensions with farmers ahead of the annual agricultural fair, which is due to open later this week. Earlier this month, Mr Attal announced a package of emergency measures to support the country's agricultural sector.

In the context of inflation, rising raw material prices and production costs, the Egalim law - which was introduced to ensure a fixed income for farmers and livestock breeders in France - is not being followed. Retail distribution companies are accused of circumventing the law to force farmers to sell agricultural products at low prices.

“Costs have increased by more than 20%, but the selling price of farmers' products has not increased, and has even decreased,” said Jérôme Despey, vice president of the National Federation and Union of French Farmers.

French farmers are pressing the government to release the first results of the emergency package before the fair opens. The National Confederation of Farmer's Unions and the Young Farmers' Union announced they would lead a convoy of tractors to the Paris agricultural show on February 23, a day before French President Emmanuel Macron's traditional visit to the agricultural fair. French farmers have complained that the government imposes double standards by demanding that organic farms, protect the environment, improve standards while still ensuring enough food for the population.

Meanwhile, French organic products have become more expensive than imported agricultural products because they have to meet too many strict inspection standards. As a result, farmers’ profits have declined due to weak sales, especially in a context of high inflation that has caused consumers to tighten their spending. Farmers’ associations have stressed that they want assurances that their grievances about agricultural prices and management issues will be thoroughly addressed.

VIET LE

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