FRENCH FARMERS ARE ANGRY AND PROTEST BECAUSE PRICES OF MILK AND MEAT ARE TOO LOW

USPA NEWS - Farmers roar their anger by blocking roads in Normandy,Brittany, and towards South of France at this time of summer vacation. They ask the government to raise prices of their production of milk and meat. The strike hardens and generalised while the protest's requested solutions, since 4 days already

AN ANGRY PROTEST THAT BEGAN IN NORMANDY BY BLOCKING ACCESS TO CAEN IN DIRECTION OF MONT SAINT MICHELLa LA La Normandy is a territory whose economy is closely linked to the activity agricole.La angry farmers came from Normandy. Farmers block the device Caen (Calvados) since Monday, 20 July. After the blockade of Caen, breeders decided to paralyse the Mont-Saint-Michel (Manche). The movement now get tightens to the South of France and blocking the access roads, near Lyon (central France) towards the South of France.

The Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll, decided to go there, Tuesday, July 21, to discuss with farmers. It is no coincidence that this area has become the symbol of the deep crisis they face. Stéphane Le Foll, Minister of agriculture, food and forestry, who is also spokesperson of the Government, has met yesterday, July 22, after a first round table on June 17th, the players in the beef sector other ministers: Emmanuel Macron, Economy Minister Matthias Fekl, Secretary of State responsible for foreign trade, promoting tourism and Martine Pinville Secretary of State for Trade, Crafts, consumption and the social economy. They all have participated in this round table, reflecting the entire mobilisation of the government for the mainlines. The Ombudsman for agricultural trade relations presented on this occasion the conclusions of its progress report on the implementation of commitments made in mid-June by the actors of bovine and porcine sectors for a revaluation of prices. It found that about prices for beef, the commitments made at the roundtable of 17 June should have allowed a revaluation of the price of 20 cts / kg when the observed increase is only 10 cents. However, the dynamics of price appreciation in these two sectors has been engaged. The problem is that despite this revaluation has not been applied by distributors. The obstacles to a faster appreciation courses were identified: the value of these meat products produced in the collective and commercial catering and on export markets could help to integrate the same increases as the meat for supermarkets.

THERE IS AN AIR OF THE GRAPES OF WRATH ON THE ROADS OF FRANCE----------------------------------------------- More than 20,000 farms have deposited the balance sheet (25,000 selon to FNSEA "National federation of farmers' unions"). A more alarming new, is that 80 000 farms will be in the same situation soon, at the same fate balance of deposit. The reason being the price too low compared to the cost of production of the farmers in terms of French production of milk and meat. The President of the Republic, Holland has spoken Monday by asking retailers to increase their prices so that the benefit should be higher for producers. But it would be fairer to lower margins of these same distributors whom do not suffer the shortfall. The breeders for their part, are indebted and are found in a critical position and ending up to produce on loss, facing the competitiveness of products imported from other countries, especially Europeans. Indeed, the French products, often guarantee high quality, but are more expensive than foreign products of lesser quality and very competitive prices.

PRESIDENT HOLLANDE CALLS EMERGENCY PLAN FOR FARMERS---------------------------------------------------------- The head of state has called the French "to consume meat of French", as "a national effort "by asking consumers "to support farmers", referring to the label "French meat." (Viande Francaise) This incentive to protectionism disguised will not be sufficient to consolidate the market of meat and milk in France. Hence the ad hoc meeting organised by the PM Manuel Valls Tuesday in consultation with the leaders of these industries and the ministers concerned to find solutions. The President Hollande to launch him as a contingency plan for agriculture. Initial steps were taken, the negotiations between unions and leaders of the protest movement of farmers are initiated to find a situation that is getting tougher day by day by their determined farmers angry. The movement spread after starting Normandy, by reaching Britain, and now Central Farrance towards southern France. A case to follow ... because the blockages on the roads during the vacation period, does not have make the motorists happy, though aware of that cause. It is now a national issue willingly or by force or and the policies that were about to take a vacation in August and didn't expect that situation neither, even less farmers who suffer every day from this injustice.