The farmers return to their tractors. New national mobilizations are planned” from Monday (November 18) », FNSEA president Arnaud Rousseau announced on France Inter on Wednesday. “We will be present from Monday in all departments for a few days, to make France’s voice heard at the G20 in Brazil”, he declared while the country’s agricultural sectors fear a possible signing of the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.
“This Mercosur, this trade agreement that connects part of the South American states to Europe, risks having dramatic consequences” for French agriculture, warned Arnaud Rousseau. This includes in particular a quota for Latin American beef imports into Europe of between 90,000 and 100,000 tonnes per year. France is strongly against it, but on this point it seems isolated at European level. “We hope that all European countries will join us,” said the FNSEA president.
“The first message we want to send to the French is that we are not here to annoy them,” he added, specifying that motorways will not be targeted. “We are here to tell them that we are proud to feed them, that it makes sense to continue producing in France (…). Our goal is not to blockade France or starve it. »
On a formal level, Arnaud Rousseau states that he does not want “any attack on property or people”. But for him “the objective is not to control farmers (in their actions), but to guarantee results”. Initially, farmers had announced a mobilization starting from Friday.
“The emergency is cash flow”
Asked about developments for farmers after the strong mobilization last winter, Arnaud Rousseau recognizes that some “things have evolved”. “What remains is the problem of income. The emergency is the cash flow of farms (…) after a catastrophic summer,” he said, speaking of the “lowest wheat harvest in France for 40 years” this year, very poor harvests and diseases that have affected “our flocks”.
It also regrets that the dissolution of the National Assembly last June suspended the agricultural orientation law promised by the previous government of Gabriel Attal. “I understand that your listeners say to themselves: farmers exaggerate because they have been told so many things. But the reality is that on our farms, as we speak, many things are not being implemented. »
Time.news Exclusive Interview with Arnaud Rousseau
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA. Thank you for joining us today. You’ve announced upcoming national mobilizations starting November 18. Can you share with us what the farmers plan to achieve with these protests?
Arnaud Rousseau: Thank you for having me. Our goal is to make France’s voice heard at the G20 in Brazil regarding the concerns around the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. This deal risks undermining our agricultural sector, particularly with the potential influx of beef imports from South America, which could severely impact our farmers.
Editor: It’s certainly a critical issue. You mentioned the significant quota for Latin American beef imports, ranging from 90,000 to 100,000 tonnes per year. Why exactly is this quantity particularly troubling for French agriculture?
Rousseau: That’s a great question. This quota represents a considerable increase in competition for our local farmers. French livestock farmers are renowned for their quality and ethical standards, and we fear that cheaper imports could flood the market, leading to lower prices and, potentially, farmers struggling to make a living. It could also create a race to the bottom in terms of production standards.
Editor: You indicated that France stands alone in its opposition to this aspect of the trade deal at the European level. What strategies are you considering to rally support from other European nations?
Rousseau: It’s indeed a challenging position for us. We hope to engage in dialogue with agricultural representatives from other EU countries to highlight the detrimental effects this agreement could have across Europe, not just in France. We believe that a united front from all farmers’ unions could amplify our concerns and push for a revision of the agreement.
Editor: You’ve expressed that the protests are not intended to inconvenience the public. How do you plan to communicate your messages effectively while ensuring minimal disruption?
Rousseau: We are committed to peaceful demonstrations that won’t disrupt daily life for the French. We will focus our mobilizations in strategically chosen locations, avoiding major highways. Our goal is to raise awareness among the public about the challenges we face without jeopardizing their everyday routines. We want to foster understanding and support for our cause.
Editor: That’s an admirable approach. In your view, what can the French public do to support their local farmers during this critical time?
Rousseau: Awareness and knowledge are key. We encourage them to stay informed about the implications of such trade agreements. Supporting local produce and farmers’ markets can also make a significant difference. By choosing to buy local, consumers not only keep our agricultural sector alive but also contribute to preserving the environment and ensuring food security.
Editor: Looking ahead, if the deal goes through, what impact do you foresee on the future of French agriculture?
Rousseau: If this agreement is implemented as it stands, we risk seeing a decline in our domestic production, loss of jobs in the agricultural sector, and potential shifts in quality standards as competition increases. Essentially, we could lose not just our agricultural heritage but also our ability to feed our population sustainably.
Editor: Thank you, Arnaud Rothseau, for sharing these insights with us. We wish you and the farmers the best in your upcoming mobilizations.
Rousseau: Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we all work together to safeguard our agricultural future.