France debates dramatic farming shake-up
07 October 1998
France debates dramatic farming shake-up
By FWi staff
FRANCE is in the throes of a political debate about radical changes proposed to the countrys farm structure, reports The Independent.
The National Assembly is debating a proposal to reverse decades of agricultural policy. The Socialist agriculture minister, Louis le Pensec, wants to shift the policy away from its principal concern with increased production.
Instead, Mr le Pensec is pushing for a greater emphasis on environmental and social concerns, as well as economic issues.
Under the reform proposals, farmers would be encouraged to take out “contracts” with the state. Farm subsidies, partly funded by the Common Agricultural Policy, would no longer be simply linked to output.
Subsidies would depend on their contribution to the preservation of nature, the creation of jobs and the improvement of food quality.
Mr le Pensecs proposals have been attacked by those on the right as a betrayal of the countrys national interests.
But the policies are supported by most French farmers, especially those with smaller, family farms. The Independent observes that politicians on the right speak mainly for the large food concerns – the food export companies, and the wealthy, intensive, cereal-growing and pork-rearing interests of northern and western France.