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Agriculture: Michel Barnier announces financial aid to breeders
Agriculture: Michel Barnier announces financial aid to breeders
(Franceinfo)
While cattle farms are being hit by bluetongue, the Prime Minister, visiting the Livestock Summit, announced that an envelope of 75 million euros would be deployed immediately. Vaccines will also be widespread throughout the territory.
He was eagerly awaited. In the aisles of the Sommet de l’Elevage, Michel Barnier went to the bedside of the profession. He discussed with the operators the difficulties of the sector, but especially the bluetongue which has been decimating the herds for months. And the Prime Minister came to make announcements: “Regarding the sheep sector, which is the most seriously affected, I announced an envelope of 75 million euros immediately available”. 75 million euros in aid and widespread free vaccination throughout France for the main strain of the disease.
Until now, only the most affected departments could benefit from it. Announcements welcomed with caution by the main agricultural union. “We estimate that this will not be enough, because the loss rates are quite significant, almost 10% to 50% on farms”underlines Hervé Lapie, secretary general of the FNSEA. According to the union, between 100 and 150 million euros in compensation would be needed to compensate for the losses suffered by breeders. For his part, the Prime Minister promised not to forget the farmers, but said he did not want to tell stories, because the budget which will be presented at the end of the month promises to be very constrained.
Watch the full report in the video above.