Long requested by the main agricultural unions, this simplification measure was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard.
The government, in response to a long-standing request from the main agricultural unions, will implement “a single administrative control under the authority of the prefect” for agricultural operations, Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard announced Thursday. “The prefect of the department is now invested with a coordination role which aims to limit the pressure of on-site inspections to just one visit per year and per farm”he said during a trip to a farm in Morigny-Champigny in Essonne.
This visit, however, will not include tax and judicial checks. Coordination concerns all state public services and bodies responsible for controls, including service and payment institutions, water agencies and even administrative controls of the French Biodiversity Office or the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The agricultural unions are satisfied
Even prefects will be able to modulate “the temporality and geographical distribution of the control campaign” taking into account the situation of the farm and the agricultural calendar, the minister said. “Today we are placing the first important stone on the road to simplification where I want to take the agricultural world. This is just the beginning”he stated before signing the circular in front of farmers, union representatives and elected officials.
Simplifying controls on agricultural activities was one of the main demands made by unions during the agricultural anger movement that shook the country last winter. “The Young Farmers and the FNSEA, who have long been fighting for this measure, welcome its implementation”the two unions greeted in a press release. “We remain fully mobilized, because it is not possible to wait so long for other simplification measures when they depend only on the administration”however, underlined Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA, quoted in the press release. The FNSEA, the main agricultural union, and its ally Young Farmers, plan a new national mobilization starting from November 15th.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Agriculture Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning, and thank you for joining us today. We have with us Dr. Laura Quint, an expert in agricultural policy and public administration. Laura, the recent announcement by Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard about simplifying administrative controls for farms has sparked a lot of discussions. Can you explain what this new directive entails?
Dr. Laura Quint (LQ): Good morning! Yes, indeed, the new directive is a significant step forward for the agricultural sector. The key aspect of this change is that there will now be a “single administrative control” under the authority of the prefect. This means that instead of multiple inspections throughout the year from various agencies, each farm will receive just one visit per year. This will greatly reduce the bureaucratic burden on farmers.
TNE: That sounds like a much-needed relief for farmers who often complain about the frequency and intensity of inspections. How will the role of the prefect change with this new coordination model?
LQ: The prefect will act as a coordinator among all state public services and bodies responsible for inspections. This streamlined approach aims to unify the inspections under a single framework, which should help lessen the pressure on farmers. It’s important to note, however, that this single visit will not include tax and judicial checks, meaning those areas will still operate separately.
TNE: So while this simplifies some aspects of oversight, there are still other inspections that farmers will need to navigate. Do you think this is a sufficient compromise?
LQ: It’s a step in the right direction but not a complete solution. By limiting the number of inspections, farmers can focus more on their operations rather than on compliance issues. However, the continued presence of separate tax and judicial checks can still be seen as an additional pressure. It’s a balancing act, and it will be crucial to monitor how this plays out in practice.
TNE: Speaking of monitoring, how do you see this shift affecting the relationship between farmers and government authorities?
LQ: This could potentially improve the relationship. Many farmers feel overwhelmed by constant inspections, which can lead to frustration and a sense of mistrust. A single annual visit can foster a more collaborative relationship, as farmers will likely appreciate the recognition of their operational challenges. However, trust will need to be built over time, and the results of these changes will be critical.
TNE: What feedback do you anticipate from agricultural unions regarding this change?
LQ: Agricultural unions have been advocating for simplification for a long time, so I expect a generally positive response. They will likely see this as a victory for their continuous efforts to reduce the bureaucratic load. However, they may also push for further reforms, especially regarding the separate checks that persist. It’s always a balancing act between ensuring compliance and fostering an environment where farmers can thrive.
TNE: Laura, if you had to make a recommendation to the government based on this new approach, what would it be?
LQ: I would recommend that they closely monitor the implementation of this single control system and gather feedback from farmers and agricultural unions. Continuous engagement with stakeholders will be critical to identify any challenges that arise and adjust the model as needed. Transparency and communication will be key in ensuring that this initiative truly serves its purpose.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Quint, for sharing your insights on this important development in the agricultural sector. We look forward to seeing how this plays out in the months to come.
LQ: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing these vital changes with you.
