DistantNews
Support us
🇫🇷 France /Elections & Politics

Heatwave: Agriculture Minister calls for 'solidarity' from retailers

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • France's agriculture minister is calling for solidarity from the retail sector to support farmers facing unprecedented crises.
  • Farmers are struggling with the impacts of heatwaves, drought, and fires, leading to significant financial losses.
  • The minister suggests retailers could accept varied fruit sizes and be more flexible on price increases.

France's Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, is urging the country's major retailers to show solidarity with farmers who are grappling with an unprecedented crisis. The agricultural sector, encompassing livestock breeders, market gardeners, and grain farmers, is facing immense hardship due to extreme weather conditions.

The entire sector, right up to distribution, must be mobilized.

— Annie GenevardThe Minister of Agriculture called for broad support from the food industry.

Genevard emphasized that the entire food supply chain, "right up to distribution," must mobilize to support these professionals. This call echoes previous demands from the FNSEA, the main farmers' union, which has pushed for immediate renegotiation of commercial contracts. While not going as far as demanding immediate contract reopenings, Genevard proposed concrete measures for supermarkets.

accepting different fruit sizes

— Annie GenevardThe minister suggested specific ways retailers could assist farmers.

These suggestions include greater flexibility regarding the "calibers" or sizes of fruits accepted, and a willingness to listen when farmers request price adjustments. Additionally, she encouraged consumers to prioritize "Made in France" products.

when a farmer requests a price increase

— Annie GenevardGenevard highlighted the need for flexibility in pricing to support producers.

The financial toll of this summer's extreme weather, including severe droughts and heatwaves, is estimated to be between 10 and 15 billion euros. The government is working on a comprehensive support plan that includes emergency measures for farm liquidity, potential coverage of social contributions, and simplified procedures. However, the minister acknowledges that appeals to goodwill might not be enough to satisfy producers on the front lines, who have called for multi-billion euro support plans.

prioritize products 'of French origin'

— Annie GenevardThe minister encouraged consumers to support domestic agriculture.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog