“Farmers are fed up with bans, procedures, rules”, assures teh Minister of Agriculture, who announces a series of measures, including the creation of a “Governing Council for crop protection”.
Management of pesticides, arming of the agents of the Office for Biodiversity… Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard announced on Saturday, in a context of agricultural discontent, a series of measures aimed at reducing “the balls” which, according to her, are weighing on the sector. “Farmers are fed up with bans, procedures, rules”he underlined. “These are really burdens that have accumulated to the point of weakening the competitiveness of agricultural companies”he added, before listing a series of measures, including the creation of a “Crop Protection guidance Council”.
Created by decree, this Council, chaired by the minister and bringing together interested parties including farmers, research institutes and producers of plant protection products, will have the aim of “prioritize education” by the Agency for Health Safety (ANSES) requests for authorization of inputs, depending on the needs of the agricultural sectors. Simply put, for ANSES it will be a matter of moving requests for the placing on the market of certain products to the top of the list, to satisfy the urgent needs of some crops.
“We ask Anses to work as a priority on orphaned or poorly provided uses”said the minister. Plant protection companies will be able to supply “technical expertise because they are the ones who develop the products”.On the merits of the decisions (authorization or prohibition),“Its not about dictating decisions to ANSES,which is an independent agency”he assured. “I think the path towards less plant protection products is a path that no one will go back to. It is indeed an orientation that everyone, politicians and professionals, has in common. But for the sectors that are in crisis, we need ANSES to prioritize its work to respond to the crisis”he explained.
This decree must also “improve the information of the ministries (…) on the draft decisions of the Anses”. He must too “ask Anses to facilitate mutual recognition” of products already authorized at European level.
“Common sense”
ANSES is in the crosshairs of some trade unions for having banned or restricted the use of some pesticides before this happened in the EU. Annie genevard announces these measures in a context of agricultural discontent, during a trip to the Loiret and the day after a meeting at the ministry with most of the unions in the sector.
As regards the french Office for Biodiversity (OFB),which carries out an environmental police role,the director general will have to “Instantly ensure the discretion of weapons in case of inspection,using devices that allow their concealment. ”It’s very annoying.” for farmers, according to Annie Genevard. There will be “the gradual implementation on an experimental basis (…) of wearing a camera for pedestrians, which possibly allows for the activation of control recordings on the spot. In general, this allows, as we have seen with the firefighters and the police, to reduce tension.”.
Another measure, “a circular to the prefects to optimize the teaching capabilities of breeding projects, shorten times and encourage educational checks for recent settlers”. The setting of dates for agricultural work will be carried out at local level and a provision will prevent the same document from being requested several times by administrations.
Annie genevard plans to overhaul the unions “before Christmas” for a new one “meeting of simplification, which I would even be tempted to call the meeting of common sense”. Objective, “methodically overcome all obstacles to production”according to her. The FNSEA and the Young Farmers (JA) have already expressed their satisfaction at having been “agreed essential simplification measures to restore visibility to farmers”.
however, they added, while a new mobilization is expected starting from December 10th “denounce low agricultural income”. The farmers are waiting “the urgent translation of these announcements so that they have a concrete effect on their daily lives”the two organizations conclude in their press release.
How will the formation of the “Crop Protection Guidance Council” impact regulatory processes in the agriculture sector?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Agriculture Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re diving into the recent announcement by Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard regarding the emerging challenges in the agriculture sector and the measures being put in place to alleviate thes pressures. Joining me is Dr. Emily Hartman, an expert in agricultural policy and lasting farming.Thank you for being here, Dr. Hartman.
Dr. Hartman: Thank you for having me.It’s great to discuss such an crucial topic.
Editor: Minister Genevard highlighted that farmers are “fed up with bans, procedures, and rules.” How significant is this sentiment among farmers in today’s agricultural landscape?
Dr. Hartman: It’s quite significant. Farmers are grappling with increasing regulations, and many feel these rules are more of a hindrance than a help. While regulations are essential for safety and sustainability, they can indeed become burdensome when they accumulate to a point where farmers struggle to remain competitive. The sentiment reflects a broader frustration that exists among agricultural producers grappling with both bureaucratic obstacles and market pressures.
Editor: The Minister announced the formation of a “Crop Protection Guidance Council.” What do you think the impact of such a body will be on the agricultural industry?
Dr. Hartman: The establishment of this Council is a positive step towards addressing these challenges. By involving farmers, researchers, and producers of plant protection products, it provides a platform for collaboration. This council can help ensure that the regulatory framework is more responsive to the actual needs of the agricultural sector. Prioritizing education and streamlining the approval process for crop protection products could greatly enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Editor: You mentioned collaboration. How critically important is it for farmers to have a voice in the decision-making processes that affect their livelihood?
Dr. Hartman: It’s absolutely crucial. Farmers usually have firsthand experience with the challenges they face, and their insights can guide more effective policies. When farmers are involved in discussions about regulations that impact them directly, it leads to better-informed decisions that consider both agricultural viability and environmental sustainability. Their participation can bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Editor: The Minister emphasized that the aim is to move requests for market entry of certain products to the top of the priority list. How does this change the current framework,and what does it mean for farmers in practical terms?
Dr. Hartman: this change could be transformative. Currently, the approval process for new crop protection products can be lengthy and cumbersome, which limits farmers’ access to the tools they need to manage pests and diseases effectively.By prioritizing these requests, we’re looking at quicker access to potentially innovative solutions that can help sustain crop yields and support farmers in an increasingly competitive market. practically, this means farmers may spend less time waiting for approvals and more time focusing on farming.
Editor: given the background of discontent within the agricultural community due to burdensome regulations, do you think these measures will truly satisfy the needs of farmers?
Dr. hartman: I believe these measures are a step in the right direction, but they won’t solve all the issues overnight. There’s a long history of frustration and a perception of disconnect between farmers and regulators. For these new initiatives to genuinely resonate with farmers, they need to be implemented transparently and with continued engagement.Agricultural productivity is not solely dependent on crop protection; it also involves socio-economic factors, such as market access and fair pricing. Addressing these aspects is equally important.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Hartman, for your insights. It seems that while these measures show promise, there’s still a lot of work to be done to restore trust and foster collaboration within the agricultural sector.
Dr. Hartman: Absolutely, and thanks again for the opportunity to discuss these critical issues. The farming community’s resilience and adaptability will play a vital role in shaping the future of agriculture.
Editor: We appreciate your time today. It’s clear that the conversation around agricultural policy is as vital as ever. Thank you for joining us on Time.news.