Stéphane Le Foll met key players from the pig industry in Paris on Tuesday (31 March) to discuss measures to counter highly degraded prices, partly as a result of the Russian embargo. Private storage measures have been agreed upon, designed to control supply to the market and raise prices.
And a multi-million euro relief fund has been made available to help farmers in the sector. Foll has also asked banks to offer favourable rates for farmers looking to renegotiate loans.
The minister also spoke of the need to improve the value of the brand of French pork. "The valuation of the label ‘the French pig’ is an essential issue that should help restore the value and improve earnings of producers," he said.
In addition, Foll called for an end to near-constant promotions on pork. "Permanent promotions lead to a loss of reference for the consumer and destruction of value," he said. Foll warned that if the industry could not reach an agreement on reducing promotions by the end of April, the government would consider using the Commercial Code to regulate the periods during which promotions could take place.
"The current pricing model must evolve to give more stable prospects for farmers and better reflect the reality of markets and trade in the sector," said Foll. He called on all stakeholders in the industry to take part in discussions on pricing and promotions and proposed that a document should be put forward and signed at the General Assembly of the Porcine National Federation in June.
Poultry funding
In related news French poultry farmers are this week receiving cash hand-outs from a €15m fund, designed to help farmers improve the quality of exported products.
Foll negotiated the exceptional CAP aid with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development after export subsidies were removed in July 2013.
"Since 2012, I fought to help the poultry sector because I have always believed in its future and in its potential," said Foll. "I mobilised support with the different links in the chain and I am pleased that, thanks to this support and willingness of operators in the sector, both export operators and the entire export industry today have a positive outlook."