Bernard Reynès, deputy mayor of Chateaurenard, in the southernFrench department of Bouches du Rhône, spoke to Végétable following his 2September meeting with minister of agriculture Bruno Le Maire, about proposalsto tackle the crisis currently engulfing the sector. Mr Le Maire recently describedthe crisis as the most serious for the last 30 years.
According to Végétable, one issue under discussion was thehourly wage of seasonal workers, estimated in France at €11-€13, compared to€6-€8 in most EU countries. It was reportedly proposed that the hourly wage inFrance be reduced to €9 in order to improve the competitiveness of Frenchfarmers. At the same time, it was recommended that an inquiry look into theworking conditions of seasonal workers within the EU.
It was further stated that export guarantees be put in placefrom 8 September, according to Végétable, particularly for apple exporters. Inaddition, negotiations are reportedly in course with Russia on the subject ofphytosanitary barriers.
Mr Reynès stated that retailers should be more reasonablewith regard to margins, but he also stressed the importance that producersorganise together and that the state provide more support for those that do.
Conscious of the issue of carbon taxes, Mr Reynès also recommendeda complete removal of taxes for farmers that invested in renewable energies.
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