“We are the ones who hold the territories”: the rant of Christiane Lambert, head of the first European agricultural union

Christiane Lambert, figure du syndicalisme agricole européen. MAXPPP – Vincent Isore

Christaine Lambert, president of the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations of the European Union, contacted in Berlin, explains the angry movement of farmers and announces new actions in several countries.

The movement of anger among farmers which is spreading across Europe could gain further momentum, according to Christiane Lambert. "More people will go to the streets", warns the president of the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations of the European Union, contacted on Friday in Berlin.

"Actions are also being prepared in Italy, in Spain", she tells us.< em>The Germans have achieved nothing, the government remains deaf to their difficulties, so they will demonstrate again next week. They will act differently, this time there will be fires of anger. In France, as the Agricultural Show approaches, there is also a risk, she explains.

Farmers and yellow vests: "The springs are not the same"

Christiane Lambert does not, however, draw any parallel with the “yellow vests", which President Emmanuel Macron fears will resurface in the wake of these tractors.

"The springs are not the same, we are dealing (with the farmers, Editor's note) to business leaders, it’s different, she emphasizes. But the former boss of the FNSEA, today head of the first agricultural union organization in Europe, notes growing exasperation.

"A challenge for rurality" 

"There are national issues each time, for example in Spain, farmers faced drought, but there is also a general feeling& ;quot; faced with the demands of the EU, particularly on the environmental front, points out Christiane Lambert.

We want to keep Europe, but we want a Europe that listens to us

"People give orders from Brussels or Paris without knowing the reality on the ground, there was still the Covid crisis, the war, the increase in energy prices, the climate , all these elements disrupt agriculture which is a living, open-air activity. And we find ourselves faced with people who don't care and ask whatever happens to reduce phytosanitary products, fertilizers, to make 25% organic. Consumers want more environment, quality, well-being, but they are faced with inflation and are moving towards low-priced products", recalls the figure agricultural.

These disappearing farms

"We want to keep Europe, but we want a Europe that listens to us. When a farm disappears, it never reopens, so there is an issue for rurality, employment, our landscapes, tourist attractiveness… hellip; There is food, the primary need, but beyond that, it is we who hold the territories", underlines Christiane Lambert.

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