Anger of farmers: Marc Fesneau denounces the “lack of patriotism” of mass distribution

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: FRED TANNEAU / AFP 4:49 p.m., February 22, 2024

The Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, denounced this Thursday during a trip to Brittany, the "lack of patriotism" of mass distribution which is "discarding" its responsibilities in terms of food sovereignty.

“Large distribution is French companies. So either they are French, or they are stateless multinationals. But, ultimately, they have responsibilities to take before us,” declared Marc Fesneau, during a visit to farm in Mahalon, on Cap Sizun (Finistère).

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“They must not shirk their responsibilities”

“Everyone must take their part (…) They do not consider that they are French, it is a lack of patriotism. I regret that,” continued the minister.

“When you are French, you defend France. When you defend France, you defend French agriculture,” he insisted.

"It's still people who went all the way to explain to us in the fall that the good price was the low price and that, if they couldn't find French products, they would go to the foreigner. It should not be surprising that this produces some questions in the agricultural world", also remarked Marc Fesneau, saying he hoped that mass distribution groups "do not turn away from an objective of sovereignty".

“I hope they are interested in knowing that we have agriculture in France. They have responsibilities, they must not shirk their responsibilities,” he assured.

Asked about the Egalim bill, which would be the fourth version of the text supposed to prevent farmers from being paid below their production price, the minister regretted that some, "as soon as we make a law, try to circumvent it" .

After visiting the farm, the minister met professional agricultural organizations as part of a working meeting.