Yesterday, on the first day of SPACE, Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau spent the whole day in the aisles of the show with SPACE President Marcel Denieul. Indeed, there is a lot of turbulence in the agricultural sector: drought, inflation in food and energy prices, etc. The Minister went to meet exhibitors, breeders, professional leaders and young people, and did not shy away from any discussion on the current problems that these different factors are facing.
"The greatest stress for a farmer is not being able to feed his animals," says Marcel Denieul in his speech to the Minister. Agriculture, and more particularly livestock farming, is often singled out when it comes to climate issues, "whereas in the face of these challenges, it (livestock farming) can make its own contribution, while guaranteeing its mission to feed the population." The SPACE chairman even wondered, "Can we put greenhouse gas emissions from our food on the same level as those from less essential activities?"
For Mr Fesneau, "Even if livestock farming has to evolve, there is no future for agriculture without livestock farming, it is an element of food sovereignty, which structures our territories, shapes our landscapes and creates jobs. Moreover, the Covid crisis and the war in Ukraine have brought the issue of food and energy sovereignty to the forefront." According to the Minister, the war in Ukraine "shows us how food can be used as a weapon."
Earlier in the morning, the Minister had the opportunity to inaugurate the new Espace Jeunes, a new feature at SPACE, by answering questions from Breton students in agricultural education. A space that is close to the heart of President Marcel Deniuel, who spoke to the students. "You are interested in agricultural studies, but you probably don't have the same vision of the profession as the older generation, and it is up to us to listen to you and adapt to your vision."
Indeed, farmers face many problems and these issues were discussed. The main one being the question of remuneration. The Minister says, "Without remuneration, we will not install. By deconstructing the price, we deconstruct food sovereignty." With regard to the installation of young farmers and the increasingly large investments, the Minister also mentioned portability and the need to link the transfer of farms to the issue of transition.
A report on SPACE will be published in a future issue of Milling and Grain.
To find out more about SPACE visit the website, HERE.
For Mr Fesneau, "Even if livestock farming has to evolve, there is no future for agriculture without livestock farming, it is an element of food sovereignty, which structures our territories, shapes our landscapes and creates jobs. Moreover, the Covid crisis and the war in Ukraine have brought the issue of food and energy sovereignty to the forefront." According to the Minister, the war in Ukraine "shows us how food can be used as a weapon."
Earlier in the morning, the Minister had the opportunity to inaugurate the new Espace Jeunes, a new feature at SPACE, by answering questions from Breton students in agricultural education. A space that is close to the heart of President Marcel Deniuel, who spoke to the students. "You are interested in agricultural studies, but you probably don't have the same vision of the profession as the older generation, and it is up to us to listen to you and adapt to your vision."
Indeed, farmers face many problems and these issues were discussed. The main one being the question of remuneration. The Minister says, "Without remuneration, we will not install. By deconstructing the price, we deconstruct food sovereignty." With regard to the installation of young farmers and the increasingly large investments, the Minister also mentioned portability and the need to link the transfer of farms to the issue of transition.
A report on SPACE will be published in a future issue of Milling and Grain.
To find out more about SPACE visit the website, HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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