Agriculture: the government announces an “emergency plan” of 270 million euros for the pork sector – franceinfo

The government will implement a “emergency plan” 270 million euros to support the cash flow of pig farmers, announced the Minister of Agriculture, Julien Denormandie, Monday, January 31. Professionals are in turmoil today, due to soaring charges and falling prices.

“On the one hand you have charges that are increasing and, on the other hand, you have prices that are falling, which are deeply weakened. This scissor effect, as it is called, leads to an absolutely worrying situation for many of pig farms”said the Minister after a meeting with industry professionals.

The executive’s “plan” includes a first component which must be “paid in the next few weeks” : a “emergency aid of 75 million euros” for cash-strapped breeders. “I am thinking of young farmers who sometimes have significant debts”, said the minister. A second more significant part, of 175 million, should intervene in a second time, once obtained the approval of the European Union. The aim is that this aid “can arrive in the farmyards during the month of April, at the latest at the beginning of May”. Finally, producers will benefit from tax exemptions of up to 20 million euros.

Breeders have been mobilizing for several weeks to make their voices heard, particularly in Brittany, with blocking operations of shopping centers. “Today, when we sell a pig, we are paid 125 euros, 125 euros, that’s what he consumed in food”, declared to France 3 Brittany Jérémy Labbé, president of Young Farmers of Côtes-d’Armor.“We no longer have enough to pay ourselves, no more to pay our bills, repay our loans. An average farm loses 20,000 euros per month!”