French farmers’ union boss wants Timmermans-style agriculture commissioner

6 months ago 13

With just a few weeks to the European elections, Arnaud Rousseau, the head of FNSEA, France’s largest farmers’ union, is delighted to see food sovereignty taking centre stage in the political debate, and is calling for the appointment of a Commissioner for Agriculture who would also be Vice-President of the Commission.

While farmers’ protests have shaken Europe for several months, Rousseau is delighted that they have at least helped to reposition agriculture as a central issue in the public debate. The subject has moved from the sectoral to the political arena. “That’s good news,” he insists.

The only downside is that these elections are struggling to generate the kind of popular enthusiasm that was expected. “The EU uses agriculture as a lever of interest, to excite Europeans, but many people remain distant from these issues,” he says.

This is why FNSEA invited the heads of the electoral lists in France to participate in a “Big Talk” on Tuesday (28 May), to enlighten voters about their respective agricultural programmes.

When asked about the candidates’ plans, the FNSEA boss acknowledged that, compared to 2019, certain themes have become more prominent. They are now all “aware of the limits of this form of unbridled free trade, and understand that we need clear rules, reciprocity and consistency.”

“Everyone is talking about sovereignty, even if not everyone puts the same thing behind the term. From an ideological point of view, it’s a great victory,” says the trade union representative with satisfaction, although he regrets the general lack of training in agricultural issues.

According to him, fewer than 10 out of 79 French Members of European Parliament (MEPs) are familiar with these issues. This is not going to improve, he worries, as some MEPs who deal with agricultural issues are not being reappointed among the eligible candidates. This is particularly true of Jérémy Decerles (Renew), who is now in 14th position on the Renaissance list.

“The Germans keep MEPs around for a long time. They make sure that someone is reappointed after each election, which allows them to acquire more experience,” he adds, acknowledging that Germany has a more effective strategy, making it easier to have rapporteurs or shadow rapporteurs who can submit texts.

Not wiping the green slate clean

Rousseau is terse on the subject of the last Commission, “It is the very example of what not to do.” Even he admits there was a change of direction last year with the strategic dialogue proposed by the European executive and the simplification of the CAP, but it was done too late, in his view.

The Green Deal in 2019 and the “stranglehold” of Franz Timmermans – former Commission Vice-President responsible for the Green Deal – should have stopped “just after covid,” stresses Rousseau.

Though the head of FNSEA wants to put an end to the Farm to Fork strategy, he admits the climate challenge and decarbonisation are issues that remain. “It’s not a question of wiping the slate clean.” Building on the foundations laid at the end of the mandate, he expects the new Commission to put production back at the forefront, as well as research and innovation, and free trade agreements.

What about the agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries? While the EU’s chief negotiator recently claimed that it could be ratified after the European elections, contrary to French President Emmanuel Macron’s wishes, he reiterates his opposition “as it stands.”

“If the first act after the election is to sign the agreement with Mercosur, that would be the definitive end of the desire to build a new European project that protects farmers,” he said.

An agricultural Timmermans

For the next office term, FNSEA is calling for an Agriculture Commissioner of with the same level of power and influence as Franz Timmermans had.

“Given the importance of agriculture in the European budget, we want a Commissioner with sufficient political clout, being at the forefront to drive forward the ambitions of European agriculture.”

He added: “What we experienced with the current Commissioner (…) has taught us a lesson.”

While a farmers’ demonstration, organised by the Dutch Farmers Defence Force, is scheduled for 4 June in Brussels, to make their voices heard ahead of the elections, FNSEA has declined the invitation to join. Only the Coordination rurale has confirmed its participation.

“We don’t want to give an image of violence and personal injury just before the elections.”
But nevertheless he warns if there is to be a demonstration, it will be in the autumn, preferring to put pressure on the EU’s new term of office. When a plan for the next five years will be drawn up during the Commission’s strategic review over the summer. “We will be vigilant,” he stated.

[Edited by Angelo Di Mambro and Rajnish Singh]