Margaux Fodéré, edited by Alexandre Dalifard / Photo credit: XOSE BOUZAS / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP 06:09, February 5, 2024
Faced with the anger of farmers, the government spoke out for the second time on February 1. Despite new announcements, the presidents of the FNSEA and Young Farmers have warned that they will not hesitate to relaunch the blockages if the announced measures are not put in place.
After the government's promises, farmers are waiting for action, and quickly. The presidents of the FNSEA and the Young Farmers have warned that they will not hesitate to restart the blockades if the announced measures are not put in place. But what is the timetable? And, concretely, when will these measures be applied?
The Agricultural Show in sight
Some already are: the increase in taxation on non-road diesel (NGR) has indeed been abandoned. The controls announced by the Minister of the Economy among manufacturers and distributors have also started. Other measures will come into force in the coming weeks. This is the case for the payment of the last aid from the 2023 CAP, by March 15. Their payment began in October, recalls Xavier Hollandts, professor at Kedge Business School and specialist in agricultural issues.
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“We very often see a delay which can extend up to a year, a year and a half for the payment of this famous aid. And therefore the government's commitment to accelerate is a very strong and very positive signal. We estimates on average that 70 to 75% of a farm's income depends on this aid", he underlines. Finally, several measures will not be applied before this summer, such as the 150 million euro fund to support breeders for example. In any case, the foundations must at least be laid by the Agricultural Show in three weeks, with concrete progress in the area of simplification. Otherwise, the FNSEA and the Young Farmers could well restart the blockages.