French livestock farmers protest inadequate drought relief measures

French livestock farmers are facing severe challenges due to summer drought conditions, which have led to significant forage shortages and rising costs. While Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard unveiled the ‘Casi’ plan (Climate, Adaptation, Drought, Fires) with over one billion euros allocated to the agricultural sector, several farming unions have criticized the measures as insufficient.

Union representatives argue that the funds do not adequately address the needs of ruminant breeders, who estimate forage losses at nearly five billion euros. A major point of contention is the reliance on the IPP satellite index to assess pasture losses. Unions claim this system is dysfunctional and fails to reflect the reality on the ground, leading to calls for on-site inspections to trigger national compensation mechanisms. They are advocating for aid of 300 euros per UGB (Livestock Unit).

On the ground, individual farmers report being pushed to the brink. Some breeders, facing a 40% deficit in forage and rising market prices for hay, have indicated they may be forced to cull their animals due to the inability to sustain them through the winter.