France announces plan to support farmers hit by heatwaves, drought, and fires

France is rolling out a broad support package to shield farmers from the devastating economic impacts of extreme weather. The government aims to ensure no farmer is left to face the crisis alone, as successive heatwaves, drought, and fires ravage the country.

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard announced the "global support plan for heatwaves, drought, and fires," detailing measures to address immediate economic difficulties and adapt water access. The plan features emergency cash flow assistance, social contribution deferrals, simplified procedures, and aid for severely impacted farms to resume production.

“

This plan will include emergency measures for the cash flow of farms, coverage of social contributions, simplification and derogation measures, as well as measures to facilitate the resumption of production for the hardest-hit farms.

The initiative also seeks to balance water resource preservation with agricultural continuity. This involves adapting water management measures within existing frameworks, acknowledging that 98 French departments are experiencing drought, with 57 in a state of crisis, imposing significant water use restrictions.

“

adapt the measures for water management in compliance with the framework set by the drought guide and the interministerial instruction of 2023 to reconcile the preservation of water resources with the continuity of agricultural production.

Farmers are grappling with widespread crop failures and livestock losses. Millions of poultry have died from heat, pastures are scorched, milk production has dropped, and yields for corn and wheat are expected to be significantly lower. Fruit and vegetable harvests are particularly hard-hit, especially in regions unaccustomed to such climatic challenges.

In response, national and departmental drought task forces are being activated. Prefects are instructed to appoint drought liaisons and establish local committees to precisely diagnose the situation. Aid will be calibrated based on these on-the-ground assessments, reflecting the urgent need for targeted relief.

“

to designate a drought liaison and to set up, without delay, a departmental task force to establish a precise diagnosis.