“The introduction of floor prices could increase the food vulnerability of a large number of households” | EUROtoday

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Rresolving the query of honest remuneration for farmers is a sine qua non situation for ending the disaster from which the agricultural sector is struggling. Indeed, many farmers are caught between rising manufacturing prices, obligatory however more and more restrictive environmental requirements, elevated vulnerability to environmental hazards and downward strain on the costs of agricultural commodities.

To face this dilemma, and regardless of the opposition of the presidential majority, a invoice proposed by the environmentalist group was handed at first studying within the National Assembly on April 5, which establishes the institution of costs flooring for farmers, the target being to struggle in opposition to the market energy of mass distribution and agro-industry. This measure sparks intense debate; we significantly point out its supposed perverse results on worldwide competitiveness or a potential bonus for intensification that it may indicate.

An necessary reality is just too typically put apart on this equation: the rise in inequalities and the difficulties many households have in feeding themselves correctly. It is estimated that 20% of French individuals have problem consuming thrice a day. The inflationary disaster and the tensions on provide chains triggered by geopolitical tensions have had a double impact on the family meals funds: meals costs have elevated by one other 7%, in 2023, after a rise of 13%, in 2022, whereas the rise in constrained bills, notably power, has lowered the share of the funds out there for meals.

Products imported at decrease price

This drop in disposable revenue leads to a downward adjustment within the meals high quality of purchases, significantly for vegetables and fruit, but in addition a discount in meat purchases, and an elevated use of laborious discounting. This revenue shock leads distributors, supported by public authorities, to extend downward strain on costs paid to producers and cooperatives, finally handed on to farmers.

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In this context, the institution of flooring costs would threat accentuating the vulnerability of a lot of households who can be pressured to change to lower-cost imported merchandise with much less demanding environmental requirements.

Beyond the inflationary disaster, the State and actors within the meals sectors can not severely deal with the query of the honest worth paid to farmers with out wanting on the constraints limiting the meals decisions and the buying energy of essentially the most weak of the French, significantly from the center and dealing courses.

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https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2024/05/20/agriculture-l-instauration-de-prix-planchers-risquerait-d-accentuer-la-vulnerabilite-alimentaire-d-un-grand-nombre-de-menages_6234304_3232.html