Anger of farmers: the bill on agriculture will be presented on March 29 to the Council of Ministers

The date has finally been set. The “Bill on Agricultural Sovereignty and Generational Renewal in Agriculture” will be presented to the Council of Ministers on March 29, the Office of the Minister of Agriculture announced this Thursday in a message to reporters. More than a year in the making, the text has been substantially revised since the start of the agricultural crisis in January, with titles changing several times. The government initially named March 20 as the date for the presentation to the Council of Ministers.

This Monday, during the presentation of the parliamentary calendar, it was announced that MPs will consider the agricultural bill from May 13th. Following a strong mobilization by farmers in January, the government said it wanted to “consolidate” the text, adding simplification measures such as simplifying the texts on hedgerows.

A meeting in Matignon, another one is planned at the Elysee Palace.

The President of the Republic also pledged to recognize agriculture as “the fundamental common interest of the French nation” and to enshrine it in law. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal received all agricultural unions this Monday evening. Representatives of three agricultural unions told AFP that Gabriel Attal asked them during a meeting in Matignon what measures the president of the republic could announce at their next meeting to end the mobilization of farmers. A meeting is also planned between the organizations and Emmanuel Macron, but the date has not yet been set.

The government, trying to calm the anger of professionals that erupted in January, has already committed to numerous projects. The protest movement has died down since early February, but protests remain sporadic and unions continue to demand. For example, the Rural Coordination held an action this Monday in Bordeaux (Gironde) in front of a hotel in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and in front of the prefecture of the department.