“I am very worried about the wine industry”, the opinion of Denis Carretier before the Agricultural Show

The president of the Occiani Chamber of Agriculture is recovering after a very serious accident. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Victim of a very serious road accident before Christmas, Denis Carretier, president of the Occitanie Chamber of Agriculture, regrets not being present at the international agricultural show. agriculture and expresses its serious concerns.
 

First of all, how are you ?

I'm better, I'm still in treatment and I'm recovering. I can walk a little. I hope to go out soon, but I can't take any chances. I try, as much as I can, to stay on top of things to respond to the most urgent matters. I do it on the phone. I have to be patient.

You were still able to follow the anger of the farmers which is struggling to subside ?

I followed her, of course, without being surprised because I have been saying for a long time that the fire was smoldering. This cry from the heart of agriculture as a whole is unfortunately not new. We have seen some progress, notably on administrative overloads, but will this be enough? I don't know how to say.

In your opinion, what is  the problem ?

The basic problem is the absence of a market. In addition, the Egalim law (supposed to protect fairer remuneration for farmers) does not work or it works poorly because it is misused. Furthermore, I am particularly worried about the wine industry. We are leaving Wine Paris, and I am afraid that viticulture will be the second wave of agricultural anger in a few weeks. Structured winegrowers, capable of packaging, work, but those who make piecemeal sales sell less, particularly in large-scale distribution.

What do you think of emergency measures ?

This is good but when the cooperatives start paying the installments, they will be smaller due to the reduction in volumes. We will probably have to review a different organization, as the president of the Occitanie Region Carole Delga asked me. While waiting to restructure, aid will be needed to get through the year. Not to mention the problem of the water paradox with excesses in the North and droughts here. On this issue, there are solutions, we are also in business but we need a little time before making announcements.

You won't be at the show but what do you expect ?

No and I regret it all the more since it is the 100th anniversary of the Chambers of Agriculture. I hope that there will be no madmen and that it will remain dignified, even if it is legitimate that there are demands. I hope that there will be a break during this show to allow the highlighting of the rich and plural agriculture of Occitania, on all the signs of quality. People will love us for a week, we have to return this love to people so that they consume our products all year round.