After yet another heatwave and an unprecedented summer drought, farmers are struggling. Scorched by the exceptional heat, fruits and vegetables are rotting in the fields. Some livestock farmers are having to start reducing their herds, driven to desperation by their inability to feed them all.

Faced with the disastrous consequences of the climate crisis on agriculture, and under pressure from farmers' unions, *Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was forced to address producers, some of whom are demanding emergency aid. In an open letter published in the regional press on August 15, the Prime Minister assured them that "no farmer will be left behind."

Aid with vague outlines
Without elaborating on the support measures that will actually be offered, Sébastien Lecornu stated that "targeted aid packages, managed by the prefects, will allow for responses tailored to the specific needs on the ground" in the face of the drought. The Prime Minister also indicated that the 2027 budget, which will be debated in the National Assembly starting this fall, will be an opportunity to "vote on support and investment measures, in particular accelerated depreciation for future agricultural projects." In addition to being vague, such a promise is also uncertain, as the budget vote in Parliament depends on the political balance in both houses, and is beyond the control of the government, which lacks a majority.

Regarding the remaining aid measures to address the successive crises facing farmers, Sébastien Lecornu refers to the content of the Emergency Agricultural Law, which was validated almost in its entirety this Friday, August 14, by the Constitutional Council, with two reservations. The text, adopted in July, was drafted by the government as a response to the agricultural anger expressed by farmers this past winter.

The question of income ignored
This law, which is expected to be enacted soon, notably includes an exemption for the use of two previously banned pesticides, including acetamiprid, despite strong public opposition to the reuse of these bee-killing products. It also provides for the relaxation of standards for the establishment of factory farms, easier culling of wolves, and simplified conditions for the installation of reservoirs.

"This vote does not address the real emergencies facing agriculture: generational renewal, adaptation to climate change, and preservation of the resources essential for future production," notes the organization Terre de Liens. The issue of farmers' income is also excluded from this law, which Sébastien Lecornu promises to implement quickly. The text merely provides for a review of producers' position in annual trade negotiations. The long-standing demands of certain agricultural unions, notably the Modef and the Confédération Paysanne, to establish minimum prices to prevent producers from selling at a loss, have once again been ignored.

The Land of Our Battles
Climate justice is our battle. It's the battle that unites environmental and social struggles to counter a capitalist system that exploits everything: life, the planet, our humanity.
There is no inevitability.
We expose the manipulations of lobbyists.
We challenge deadly climate denial.
We highlight initiatives aimed at reducing environmental inequalities and social divisions.
Support us.

I want to know more:

https://www.humanite.fr/social-et-economie/agriculture/face-a-la-secheresse-les-promesses-creuses-de-sebastien-lecornu-aux-agriculteurs

TRANSLATION BY JULES LETAMBOUR

PLEASE VISIT:

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT — SINCE 2005.

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

         RABID ATHEIST.

         WELCOME TO THIS INSANE WORLD….