“The conditions are met” for “the FNSEA to be able to participate”, estimates the Minister responsible for Europe

“It is desirable that the FNSEA (…) can participate” to the big debate at the Salon de l’Agriculture, because “the conditions are met”, estimated Friday February 23 on franceinfo Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate for Europe. The Head of State proposed a major debate at the Agricultural Show on Saturday with agricultural unions, agro-industrialists, environmental associations, including the Earth Uprisings association.

The latter’s invitation angered the farmers. Hervé Lapie, secretary general of the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA) denounced Friday February 23 on franceinfo a “unacceptable provocation” and refuses to participate. “The Earth Uprisings are no longer invited to this debate and therefore the conditions are ripe for it to be held in the best conditions”explained Jean-Noël Barrot. “It is desirable that the FNSEA, even if I understand its reaction, can participate alongside all the other actors in this debate”he added.

The FNSEA does not understand how the Elysée could invite “a collective whose dissolution has been requested” by the government. Jean-Noël Barrot recalled his opposition to the Earth Uprisings: “We are fighting them on an ideological level. We are denouncing their methods of intervention. We wanted to dissolve them. The courts decided otherwise. The principle of a major debate is that we invite everyone”he justified himself.

For the majority agricultural union, it is difficult to go back after this “provocation” of the government. “The farmers would not understand that we could participate in it”explained Hervé Lapie. “It is by confronting divided positions that through dialogue we can find appeasement. So the intention of the President of the Republic is obviously an intention that is entirely laudable”replied the minister to the FNSEA.