The room in support of growing concerns

We are at the end of a year 2022 “quite complicated” according to the words of its president that the agricultural chamber of Aveyron held its session yesterday, in Rodez. “Less bad than expected”however, Jacques Molières specifies, due to an amending budget of November 2022 which will allow the Chamber, economically speaking, to “take things in hand” in 2023.

At issue is the increase in the cost of energy and supplies, with consequent results “not good… but they don’t endanger us”. To overcome this milestone, the chamber had to draw on its working capital in the amount of 169,000 euros. For 2023, the latter plans to do so “heavy investment” in its building stock as well as the sale of the Cambon farm, made available to the La Cazotte agricultural school in Saint-Affrique. The year 2023 will then be placed under the sign of “rigor in daily management”.

A “food race” between animals and humans?

In front of an audience of about forty people (the quorum had just been reached), this session continued around the presentation of a study entitled: “Agriculture and food competition with man: debunking received ideas, an example of breeding of the Aveyron”. He was concerned with the extent to which farm animals eat plant proteins that humans could consume, hence the idea of “competition”. Twenty-two Aveyron professionals were consulted and it seems like cattle “Give” more of them “takes”, ranging from simple to double. The study is based on the only edible foods of the two species, namely corn, wheat, barley or soybeans. Hence the importance, according to Jacques Molières, of “keep breeding as strong as possible in the Aveyron”.

Five motions approved unanimously

Embodying the current concerns of the agricultural world, five motions were then submitted to a public vote. All were unanimously adopted. The first concerned the aid scheme for the revitalization of agricultural exploitation (Surface), which has been in force for three years. The Area replaces a local scheme which previously benefited about thirty Aveyron farmers a year, while the new system concerns three a year… on a national scale. A device “completely useless” according to Laurent Saint-Affre, president of the FDSEA. “We have no right to leave struggling farmers by the side of the road”continued, Jacques Molières adding: “Not everything can be decided in Paris”.

The second motion, on the fight against moles, called for the “awakening” of the committee set up around the Valérie Michel-Moreaux preference in July 2022, as well as support for the affected farmers and the establishment of a system (State, departmental council , Region, community of municipalities, etc.) between financial support and research.

Agricultural calamities: breaches in the new system

Proposal for a new vote on the issue of the new climate risk management system, which replaces the system of agricultural disasters: the Chamber asks, faced with the “cracking” met, an improvement of the satellite observation system and possible remedies in case of disagreement. Same approach for the fourth motion, on the TéléPac declaration, the room expresses fears that the device is not “100% operational for opening”. Finally, the last motion called for the pure and simple rejection of the Mercosur free trade agreement, in the name, in particular, of the non-reciprocity of standards.

Present or represented, “attention” elected officials.

Among the guests of this session, Jean-Claude Anglars reaffirmed his commitment against the Zero Net Artificialization (ZAN) bill which would put a stop, in particular, on the construction of agricultural sheds. The Senator has also pledged to do so “go back up” Aveyron’s concerns about moles and the reform of the aid system. Also present were Simon Worou, representing the deputy from the 3rd constituency, Jean-François Rousset, Christian Naudan for the department, Clément Carles from the region and Laurent Alexandre, deputy from the 2nd constituency “careful” to the various problems presented.

The deputy departmental director of territories, Anne Calmet, announced that 4,895 farmers (almost 90%) have received a deposit for the 2022 drought for a total of 13 million euros. 8% of dossiers were rejected in this context. Representing the prefect, Anne Calmet also acknowledged the “complexity” of the Area system, also undertaking to “go back up” the various complaints to the prefectural authority.