On the 24th of April, MediTerraBio, through its president Corinne Ayme, sent an open letter to the French president. With this letter, the group of 15 organic producers from the southeast of France wished to alert the public authorities to the emergency of the situation facing a sector that is currently having to cope with dwindling water resources and climatic hazards, against a backdrop of rising costs and a “shrinking market that is no longer sufficient to ensure the sector's viability. We are on the verge of a food independence problem,” explains Corinne Ayme. “We want to make our voices heard, to share with you our concerns and our need for support.”
Basket of organic vegetables sent to Emmanuel Macron and Marc Fesneau
“For me, it was important to challenge our politicians, because I have always had the feeling that we wear the same jersey, but we are not on the same team. Rather than banging my fist on the table, I invited them to sit down and work together, hand in hand.”
Request for additional aid
The initiative of the French Ministry of Agriculture following the fruit and vegetable sector's sovereignty plan is welcomed by the group, but it is “not enough” to maintain its activity, which is “currently under serious threat (falling purchasing power, rising input prices, lack of government support, consumer confusion linked to the development of new labels, competition from heated greenhouses, discrediting of organic compared to local…).” The situation has become unbearable for some growers. “If I cannot make a slightly better profit from my production than I would with conventional methods, I will have to end my activities. Due to the rising costs and the stagnant or even falling prices, I have reluctantly reduced my surface area. I would like to be able to continue paying my employees and also make a living from my job, which I am passionate about,” explains Stéphane, producer based in Raphèle-les-Arles.
This is why MediTerraBio is urging the government to:
- re-establish the aid to maintain organic farming and increase the per-hectare amounts for fruit and vegetables,
- introduce premiums/cheque books to encourage virtuous and organic consumption,
- develop an ambitious communication plan to promote organic farming,
- oblige local authorities, under the Egalim law, to buy organic and French produce,
- increase tax credits and investment aid for independent organic farms.
Acting locally
“No one from the Elysée or Bercy has replied to us yet. We had also launched an appeal to local politicians, and we have received an encouraging response from Martine Vassale, president of the Departmental Council of the Bouches du Rhône. Broad national support is necessary, but so is local commitment. They have some cards to play, thanks to the prioritization of local organic produce in school canteens and the allocation of aid to farmers,” explains Eleonore Bouvier, sector development manager at ProNatura, MediTerraBio's commercial partner. “With the Egalim law, the French government made a commitment to work with French organic farmers, but more concrete action is needed,” explains Corinne Ayme.
Alerting the general public
“We are delighted to be able to make farmers' voices heard,” explains Eléonore Bouvier. For once, the group has decided to speak out and wants to continue by reaching out to the general public, “perhaps by taking part in national broadcasts this autumn on French radio stations,” according to the president of MediTerraBio.
For more information:
MediTerraBio
mediterrabio.fr