the boss of the Musketeers denounces the “irresponsibility” of the Minister of Agriculture

The minister criticized the use of European purchasing centers which, according to him, make it possible to circumvent the Egalim law. If there is no recourse for the moment, Thierry Cotillard judges that they make it possible to avoid too large price differences.

Thierry Cotillard, president of the Les Mousquetaires group (Intermarché, Netto), denounces Tuesday February 27 on France Inter “harsh words” of the Minister of Agriculture against distributors. During a trip to Finistère last Thursday, Marc Fesneau accused mass distribution of “lacking patriotism” and to circumvent the Egalim law. This declaration “is not up to standard” And “is irresponsible on his part”, castigates the boss of the Musketeers. Thierry Cotillard claims to have “very bad experience” these words “displaced” which, according to him, come “add fuel to the fire” in the midst of protests from the agricultural world.

He maintains that Intermarché made the choice “100% French” for many products, thus citing “milk, eggs, butter, poultry, beef, and everything that is sold in raw material”. Thierry Cotillard also recalls that his “distributor brand chose 50 years ago to have factories in France, more than half of which in Brittany” and therefore judges “swollen” this type of thinking. The president of the Les Mousquetaires group still hopes to be able to move on by reconnecting “the dialogue” with Marc Fesneau “to explain to him” the action of distributors.

Purchasing centers useful to fight inflation

The minister particularly targeted European purchasing centers which, according to him, allow mass distribution to circumvent the law. Thierry Cotillard retorted this Tuesday that‘”Intermarché and Netto do not have a European purchasing center”, For now. But he explains that this is likely to evolve “if the European center is recognized by European law” in order to avoid too much “price differences with [leurs] competitors.”

The president of the Les Mousquetaires group considers that European purchasing centers can indeed be “an extremely interesting tool to combat inflation”. But he wants French distributors to choose to use it on certain products only in order to “protect farmers’ income” French. “Let’s make a charter, call for responsibility from leaders,” advocates Thierry Cotilard.

“Together, let’s decide to exclude from European purchasing centers all files that have a significant component in agricultural products.”

Thierry Cotillard, president of the Les Mousquetaires group

at France Inter

Thierry Cotillard explains, for example, that he is in favor of these purchasing centers “for coffee and chocolate with Nestlé”while remaining in France “for its subsidiary Herta which makes ham”. He considers that this will not necessarily lead to administrative overloads. He believes that only “10% of files” are affected by this proposal.