Rhetoric once again comes to the aid of politics. In an attempt to put an end to a protracted agricultural crisis, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will debate “ with all stakeholders in the agricultural world » Saturday February 24, on the occasion of the 60e International Agricultural Show, which takes place from February 24 to March 3, Porte de Versailles, Paris. Angry farmers increased the pressure in the run-up to this major annual meeting, threatening to disrupt the inauguration of the show by the head of state.
Emmanuel Macron will respond to them by climbing onto the “ ring », Literally as figuratively. Normally devoted to the presentation of livestock participating in the General Agricultural Competition, the platform will allow the Head of State to indulge in one of his favorite figures: a dialogue “open, frank and direct » with sector players. The president of the Republic “really wish speech were free”, insists the Elysée. It remains to be seen whether the protagonists agree to play the game, the powerful National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA) having announced on Friday February 23 morning that it would not participate in the debate.
The invitations were launched in a hurry, Thursday February 22, towards “ everyone we heard speak » on agricultural issues in recent months. Several hundred people are invited, including representatives of the main unions – the FNSEA, the Young Farmers, Rural Coordination, Peasant Confederation, etc. –, large retailers – Lidl, Système U, etc. – and industrialists such as the transformer of Bigard meat, the multinational Lactalis or the cooperative Who’s the boss? !. The arrival of the representative of the E.Leclerc group seems particularly desired by the Head of State. “We hope that Michel-Edouard Leclerc [le président du groupe] will be present »says an advisor, stressing that the exercise will allow the latter to “ respond live, and not just through the media as he regularly does”.
“Two hours at least”
Environmental defenders will also have a voice, such as Climate Action Network or Future Generations. And even, the Elysée announced Thursday afternoon, Les Uprisings of the Earth, a collective described as“ecoterrorist” by the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, whom the executive wanted to dissolve in the summer of 2023, before the decision was canceled by the Council of State. “The invitation of a small group whose dissolution was requested by its own government is an unacceptable provocation for farmers”denounced in the evening the president of the FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, on “ take part in what will only be a charade ». “There is no debate possible with these violent people”, wrote Arnaud Gaillot, president of the Young Farmers, also refusing to participate. Less than an hour later, the Elysée backed down: “ to guarantee the serenity of the debates »The Earth Uprisings are ultimately not invited.
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