After the storms this weekend which affected 65 departments in France, the Minister of Agriculture was in Gironde this Monday morning to make announcements for agriculture. While farmers fear a heavy bill, Marc Fesneau indicated that the state guaranteed loans were going to be extended for the sector. Of the charge reductions are also planned as well as financial incentives for farmers to insure. He announces that the State will contribute up to 300 million euros in this direction.
The Minister also announced that better prevention would be carried out around weather forecast to better anticipate these episodes. In Gironde, in particular, the anti-hail cannons did not go off at the right time. Marc Fesneau said he was asking Météo France to refine his forecasts. He thinks about the financing of these guns for the vineyards which are under-endowed at this level.
“A real disaster”
In the wake of these events, this Sunday evening, the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA) evoked a “real disaster“for agriculture.”More than 40 departments were affected by hail“, added its president, Christiane Lambert, who recalls that no one has been spared since vinesof the cereal crops as well as buildings suffered significant damage.
– Stephane Hiscock
After these bad weather, a woman was also found dead in Rouen as well as 15 people injured everywhere in France, according to the figures given by the Minister of the Interior. Thousands of homes were also deprived of electricity, 7,000 of them were still on Sunday evening.
The Minister of Agriculture is increasing his trips on Monday since he is going to the Gers at midday, also to support winegrowers.