Following the article by Charles Lecavalier of November 16 “Fears that fall under the imagination, according to Minister Lamontagne” 1, it is the casual manner with which this minister deals with the issue of the division of farmland that concerns me deeply.
Do we still need to remember that planning what we have left of Quebec’s agricultural land is not to be taken lightly? And worrying about this, wanting to take the time to examine this orientation and its effects, with rigor, is completely justified!
Before going there, discreetly, by concealing the stake in an omnibus bill, could we not take the trouble to examine whether it is the right vehicle to, for example, achieve one of the laudable objectives, namely promote the establishment of the next generation on small farms? Perhaps this is so, but beyond the debates and partisan interests, we must rigorously assess the repercussions of the fragmentation of land which, I agree, should facilitate, in principle, access to property for the next generation. .
In principle…: it is good to know that in addition to access to property, it is the persistence in the profession of farmer which is one of the major challenges of establishing the next generation of farmers AND the culture of “becoming owner at all costs ”which turns out to be, all too often, the only option considered for setting up.
And what about agricultural taxation, is there no way to revise it in order to improve the transfer of the farm or to discourage dismantling?
Many countries have policies for home ownership in agriculture that go through other avenues; France, for example, has opted for medium or long-term land rental formulas with option to purchase, ensuring that young people do their class and solidify their life project on all levels!
Because that is what it is all about: settling in agriculture is a demanding life project, with the family, beyond the bucolic images of living in the countryside … a life project that can be exciting, that goes without saying. And the agricultural land is so much coveted. So the proposed “vehicle”, the fragmentation, is it a good way to promote succession? I ask to see. Considering the dropout and dropout rate from the profession, we must stop, “step aside” (as another minister put it so well) and remove this issue from the bill on the reduction of employment. administrative burden.
I have devoted my academic career in research to the issues of social sustainability in agriculture, including establishment in all its forms, farm transfer and the implications for agricultural and regional development, because one does not go without ‘other. That the Minister of Agriculture reduces the legitimate fears to, I quote, of “the imagination of the interpretation…”, that disconcerts me.
1. Read “Fears that spring from the imagination, according to Minister Lamontagne” What do you think? Express your opinion