But, he acknowledged that “the nature of the tension in the agricultural world” means it will take time to resolve.
“The agricultural crisis cannot be solved in a few hours. It won’t be resolved during this fair,” the French president said.
This comes after Macron on Friday evening canceled a debate scheduled to take place with farmers’ unions and environmental groups at the fair. There was a spat with farmers’ organizations after media reported a controversial movement of climate activists, Les Soulèvements de la Terre, known for repeatedly clashing with the police and farmers, had been invited to Saturday’s event.
“I deny it in the strongest terms” that this green group was ever invited, Macron angrily said Saturday, recalling that he pushed for the climate group to be disbanded — a decision that was later canceled by the courts.
Macron nonetheless organized an impromptu discussion with farmers present at the fair.
The French president also announced that the national authorities will reinforce controls and transparency on fair bargaining on food prices between farmers and retailers. He added that he will push for similar measures to be adopted at the European level, as well as for further simplification of EU rules.
