A show perceived as an ultimatum. For several weeks, the movement of angry farmers has calmed down even if it persists in certain departments, such as Lot-et-Garonne. The reason: Gabriel Attal’s announcements three weeks ago, the implementation of which should become clearer during the Agricultural Show which opens this Saturday. The main unions have warned: if the timing of these announcements is not considered satisfactory, the demonstrations will resume. “We encourage us to maintain the pressure,” explains Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA and guest of the Great Europe 1/CNews interview this Monday.
Waiting for answers
The show will open on February 24 in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, who is likely to be warmly received. “The expectation is very high so it will not be a show like any other. It is a show where the President of the Republic will first have to say what he intends to do, and also hear the annoyance. Nobody imagine that he could, like every year, parade through the aisles without having had a strong, clear statement and being attentive to the agricultural world. There are demands”, continues Arnaud Rousseau.
“All political parties are asked what their vision of agriculture is, how they intend to build it. What we want is answers from the government. And then it’s also that the “All the political personnel who come to this show can also say what their vision of agriculture is,” he adds.
“Neither distrust nor complacency”
A position that he considers “responsible” while the FNSEA has been repeatedly accused of “complacency” with the government by farmers and other unions. “Let’s be serious. The FNSEA will celebrate its 78th anniversary this year. It has been negotiating for 78 years with all governments, whatever their political color. This is our history. Exercising responsibility, ensuring that we find solutions and paths of progression, it’s our DNA. Afterwards, some consider that it’s collusion concerning us. It’s neither distrust nor complacency. It’s committed responsibility and the desire to find solutions.” Arnaud Rousseau justifies himself at the microphone of Sonia Mabrouk.