“Finally measures that go in the right direction”: Jérôme Despey welcomes the announcements from the Minister of Agriculture

Des aides d'urgence qui vont permettre de donner de l'air pour des vignerons exsangues. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

The vice-president of the FNSEA reacts to Marc Fesneau's announcements: quadrupling of the "emergency fund" to relieve the cash flow of wine growers at 80 M€ and the financing of an additional temporary vine uprooting campaign of 150 million euros.

The Minister of Agriculture made two important announcements, what do you think ? 

I can finally say that these measures are going in the right direction. We expected them from the mouth of the Prime Minister. The minister had proposed an emergency fund of 20 million euros, I said that it was largely insufficient. Today it rises to 80 million euros. This will give some air, within the limit of 20,000 € by exploitation for losses linked to drought, health hazards and to be able to have a blank year with the payment of interest and bank charges. 

How will this happen in practice ? 

This will be in the hands of the prefects who are responsible for opening counters very quickly. We are waiting for the minister to specify the terms and conditions and we will ask him that the first payments arrive before the agricultural show which begins on February 24. 

What about the temporary uprooting, with 150 M€ ? 

This is an additional credit from the national wine program, OCM already endowed with 250 million euros. The winegrower may opt for a break from replanting. This break could last up to 8 years. Those who do not have the capacity to replant can opt for uprooting without replanting with a view to agricultural diversification. We must manage to obtain 80% of the cost of grubbing up, i.e. 4,000 € of the hectare to move towards more adapted diversification. We are awaiting the decision of the European Commission. It's a victory to get these 150 M&Euro; state aid. 

And he who wants to uproot and not leave ? 

For the moment there is no device. To do this, it will be necessary to modify the CAP, the common agricultural policy. Here too, there are questions that arise about land rental for those who want to retire. We're not just into Bordeaux-style harvesting; intended for reforestation. We can grow agricultural crops in this case. But here too, we must know the modalities, this will be the challenge of the minister's planned visit to Hérault, once the Prime Minister has completed his announcements. < /p>

Optimistic for the future ? 

Between national credits and community credits, we mobilize a leverage effect to support the vineyard and the restructuring of the vineyard. I would like to remind you that these credits are national and concern the entire French vineyard. And above all the minister will be expected for announcements on the rest of the agricultural crisis: livestock, fruits and vegetables, field crops… 

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