Benjamin Peter, edited by Laura Laplaud 11:45 a.m., January 17, 2023

For the 2023 edition of the Salon de l'agriculture, which takes place from February 25 to March 5 in Paris, no Aveyron stand will be present.

The department's chamber of agriculture has decided to boycott the meeting.

Jacques Moliéres, president of the Aveyron Chamber of Agriculture, explains the reasons for this situation.

The sling of the department of Aveyron.

This year, they will not go to the Salon de l'Agriculture.

Why ?

Because the management of the show, which will take place from February 25 to March 5, asks farmers to come without animals and to leave the prestigious Hall 1 dedicated to breeding.

No question for the chamber of agriculture of this rural department which has decided to boycott the 2023 edition.

>> Find Europe Matin in replay and podcast here

"When I go to the Salon, it's not to do business"

The Aveyron department has been settling in Pavilion 1 of the Agricultural Show for years with Aubrac calves and cows, Lacaune sheep, aligot and Roquefort cheese.

A derogation while most departments have gradually settled in Pavilion 3 "Products and flavors of France", a space without animals dedicated to the regions.

This year, the management of the show does not want a free pass and all departments will go to Hall 3. A decision that Jacques Molières, president of the Aveyron Chamber of Agriculture does not accept.

"It makes me very angry because I don't understand how the Agricultural Show can allow McDonald's and Lidl to be in Hall 1 with a big place", he says at the microphone of Europe 1 "Going to Hall 3 doesn't interest me, there are no animals. It's stalls, it's a big market. When I go to the Agricultural Show, it's to show the know-how of Aveyron producers, it is not for doing business", he added.

Jacques Molières and the representatives of the department will stay at home this year.

No stand will represent Aveyron even if farmers will come despite everything, to defend the colors of the department during the general competition.