“Anything that can be done to lighten the cash flow is a step in the right direction”, assures the president of the Fnsea

Faced with the impact of the drought, the Minister of Agriculture Marc Fesneau announced on Monday August 22 a first series of measures to help farmers and dairy farmers. Among these measures: the fastest possible mobilization of the agricultural calamity scheme for crops that are eligible, the advance on CAP aid increased to 75% on 16 October next and exemptions from tax on land not built. “Anything that can be done to alleviate cash flow is a step in the right direction”reacts Monday August 22 on franceinfo Christiane Lambert, the president of the Fnsea.

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“It is obvious that the livestock sector is the one that suffers the most and therefore the disaster regime must be sufficient in terms of amount and access criteria”she underlined, adding that a new assessment will be drawn up in September with the drought committee. “The climate is changing very fast, we have to change very fast”she added, specifying the importance of supporting farmers towards new production models.

In addition to the financial measures, the president of the Fnsea wishes to raise “the obligation to sow absolutely” at the end of summer “in the dust and in soils that are too dry”. According to her, farmers must be given exemptions “depending on the region”so that they can regrow their seedlings “without risking penalties”.

As a consequence of this historic drought, Christiane Lambert does not rule out a further rise in food prices: “there are already some because of lower production, coupled with the difficulties of the war in Ukraine”. “Obviously food, which is fragile and linked to the climate and to these geopolitical events, has a price”she admitted, repeating that “keep agriculture in France” is an issue “capital”. “Some breeders sell their animals [plus tôt]-2% beef cows in July, it is worrying”she concluded.