How the executive changed its position on the floor prices demanded by farmers

After clashes broke out upon Emmanuel Macron’s arrival at the Agricultural Show, the President of the Republic made several announcements on Saturday February 24 to respond to the anger of farmers, who have remained mobilized for several weeks after significant blockages across France. Among the promises made by Emmanuel Macron to calm the situation: an emergency cash flow plan, an extension of the “right to make mistakes” and the establishment of floor prices in each sector.

This last measure, which consists of setting a minimum price for certain products in order to guarantee the remuneration of farmers, had been demanded for a long time by the Peasant Confederation, but the executive was firmly opposed to it until then. Franceinfo reviews the government’s reversals on the issue of floor prices before finally promising their implementation.

1 The majority opposes it

The proposal to establish floor prices is not new. The Confédération paysanne, a left-leaning farmers’ union, and left-wing political groups have been making this demand for several years. “This proposal has been on the table for thirteen years now.”, regretted communist senator Ian Brossat on franceinfo. The PCF group already proposed the establishment of floor prices in the National Assembly in 2011, he underlined. At the time, Emmanuel Macron’s government was not in power, but the proposal has not failed to be renewed since 2017.

In April 2018, “as part of the examination of the Egalim law, we defended by amendment the establishment of floor prices”, recalled Manuel Bompard, the coordinator of La France insoumise, on X. And the text had been rejected while Emmanuel Macron’s government had an absolute majority in the Assembly. A proposal renewed in November 2023 by the rebellious deputy, but rejected again. “Imissed six votes to vote for it, the Macronists and the Republicans having done everything to oppose it”regretted Manuel Bompart.

2 The Minister of Agriculture considers the measure “demagogic”

Questioned on franceinfo in the midst of a wave of blockades, Marc Fesneau was formally opposed to the establishment of floor prices on agricultural products, denouncing a “demagogic proposal”. “Set a floor price obligation on French agricultural prices [alors] that we can’t do it on the prices of other countries, what does that matter? This puts French agricultural products in unfair competition!” he denounced.

The Minister of Agriculture even believed that the introduction of floor prices would be counterproductive. “If it were as simple as that to say I would put a kg of tomatoes at 10 euros in France to pay the farmers but on arrival we have tomatoes for 3 euros, what do you think will happen?”he illustrated, arguing that French farmers would be disadvantaged on the market, facing cheaper prices abroad.

3 Emmanuel Macron announces their implementation

A few weeks later, after being heckled upon his arrival at the Agricultural Show, Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday February 24 that he was in favor of the establishment of floor prices on agricultural products. “The objective that I set for the work which was launched by the Prime Minister and his ministers, and in particular the parliamentary work, is that we can truly achieve these floor prices which will make it possible to protect agricultural income and not give in to all the most predatory practices which today are sacrificing our farmers and their income”said the president after an interview with union officials.

“Putting the word out on the concept of floor prices is already a small revolution”greeted Laurence Marandola, spokesperson for the Peasant Confederation. “This floor price will be constructed by sector. As a result, it will be torn between producers and downstream. We will be careful”, she adds. Some economists also remain suspicious of Emmanuel Macron’s announcement. “Promising floor prices without reviewing free trade agreements is an empty promise.”estimates economist Maxime Combes.

“As long as you let international competition drive prices down, setting up price floors in France is completely futile, because the purchasing centers of large-scale distribution will not hesitate to source their supplies from abroad to supply them. escape.”

Maxime Combes, economist

at franceinfo

The specialist also recalls that floor prices are considered by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a distortion of competition, which raises serious doubts about the effective implementation of such a system by France.

4 Marc Fesnau denies having changed his mind

Interviewed on CNews, Sunday February 25, Marc Fesneau denied having changed his mind on floor prices. Confronted with his comments made in January on franceinfo, the Minister of Agriculture maintained his opposition to the rebellious bill on floor prices, which he continues to consider “Soviet”. According to him, the President of the Republic’s proposal to establish floor prices is completely different because it aims to “build a price based on production costs”.

To implement this policy, the Minister of Agriculture nevertheless concedes “only an evolution of the European framework” is necessary, but calls the French to trust the “persuasion capacity of the France” vis-à-vis other member countries of the European Union. “It is not because the fight is difficult that we must give up the fight”argues Marc Fesneau, who recalls that France was a pioneer in Europe on the Egalim laws.