In a climate of palpable tension, farmers in the Southern Alps are preparing to take to the streets to make their voices heard. A demonstration organized by the FDSEA and the Young Farmers is scheduled in Gap and Digne-les-Bains, materializing a growing anger in the face of demands that continue to be ignored. “The dignity of the farmer and French agriculture” resonates like a cry from the heart, while local farms struggle for their survival. After several victories last year, frustrations have only accumulated.
An alarm signal for agriculture
The picture is bleak for farmers in the region. Despite the advances made on crucial issues such as the removal of the 4% fallow land obligation, as well as the maintenance of the tax advantage on off-road diesel, many unmet demands remain. Laurent Depieds, president of the FDSEA of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, sounds the alarm: “Farmers are at an impasse, and this situation threatens their farms.” This discontent is accompanied by a lack of market clarity that does not reassure industry professionals.
Endangered farms
From one farm to another, the story is the same. Problems accumulate, leading to heavy consequences for farmers. Financial difficulties worsen for those struggling to cope with plummeting entry-level prices. “Farmers simply want a decent income,” asserts the president. No one should have to accept working at a loss, and the health of many farms is threatened by this downward spiral.
Specific concerns of the Hautes-Alpes
In the Hautes-Alpes, the situation is equally concerning. Farmers lament unfulfilled promises, particularly those related to Natura 2000 zones which further complicate the daily lives of producers. The FDSEA and the Young Farmers denounce restrictive regulations that hinder their practices. “Legislative pressures keep increasing,” emphasizes Laurent Gabet, co-president of the FDSEA 05. This cry of distress adds to concerns over local specifics, such as the maintenance of watercourses or pressing environmental issues.
Mobilizations planned for Thursday and Friday
The coming days promise to be hot under the skies of the Southern Alps. Farmers are organizing for a gathering scheduled for Thursday morning at the Saulce roundabout, followed by a march to the Hautes-Alpes prefecture in Gap. Similarly, members of the FDSEA and JA from Alpes-de-Haute-Provence will meet in Digne-les-Bains on Friday at 8:30 AM. “Far from wanting to block the roads, our goal is to make our voices heard and establish a dialogue with the government,” clarifies Laurent Depieds.
A wind of mobilization is blowing across the farms. Every voice matters in this struggle that crystallizes around the defense of a strong local agriculture. At a time when farmers feel abandoned, their determination to make their demands heard could mark the beginning of a new chapter for agriculture in the Southern Alps.
