PARIS (Reuters) – The war in Ukraine, and heavy sanctions Western powers have taken in opposition to Russia, will have long-lasting and severe penalties for the French farming sector, the European Union’s greatest, French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Saturday.
“If you ask me to share one conviction with you this morning, it is that this disaster is right here to remain, this war is right here to remain,” Macron informed the Paris farm present on Saturday.
Trade restrictions ensuing from EU sanctions on Russia will weigh on French exports comparable to wine and grains, Macron stated, whereas an extra rise in vitality costs will hit livestock farming.
“We are constructing a resilience plan,” Macron stated, including measures could be taken to guard farmers from value pressures and compensate misplaced revenues.
A surge in commodity costs prior to now yr has benefited grain producers however squeezed livestock farmers for whom grain feed is a serious value. The authorities introduced on the finish of January a 270 million euro ($304 million) aid package deal for the pork sector.
The disaster in Ukraine is rising volatility in agricultural markets, with Paris wheat futures hitting a file excessive on Thursday. Farmers are additionally anxious the disaster may exacerbate provide tensions in fertilisers and disrupt the spring rising season for crops.
The annual Paris farm present, the Salon de l’Agriculture, is a serious event in France and, coming lower than two months earlier than the primary spherical of presidential elections, has drawn the foremost candidates.
French commentators lengthy anticipated Macron may use his presence on the present to formally announce he will be working for a second time period, a reality no one in France doubts.
But worldwide crises, above all Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, have thwarted the president’s calendar a number of occasions.
While Macron spent over 12 hours on the Salon’s last version in 2020, making an attempt to reassure farmers over the affect of Brexit and a reform of the EU’s farm coverage, he solely spoke on Saturday for about quarter-hour.
($1 = 0.8875 euros)
(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel and Gus Trompiz; Editing by Mark Potter)
