French farmers seek government aid

French farmers are asking for government help after a summer affected by drought and extreme heat, which hurt their crops and livestock. They are now dealing with autumn farming tasks and applying for emergency financial support.

Autumn tasks take priority

Isabelle Clanchier, a counselor for the agricultural social mutual (MSA) in Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne, said farmers are focusing on immediate work like apple or chestnut harvests, lambing, or calving, and have not yet prioritized aid applications. The farmers' insurance (Sécu) has been contacting them since mid-September through calls, emails, and SMS to inform them of available support.

Available aid includes multiple forms of support

The aid includes psychological support, social contributions, assistance for rest periods, and emergency government measures. Some funds were released in April to help with non-road diesel (GNR) and in July for fertilizer costs after the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.

Low aid requests lead to policy changes

Between April and August, 74 million euros were paid out of a total of over 250 million for GNR. For fertilizer aid, 17 million euros were requested out of 145 million, which is to be used by the end of 2026. Due to low requests, the Ministry of Agriculture reopened GNR counters and allowed the submission of unpaid fertilizer invoices in aid requests.

Farmers face psychological and physical strain

MSA counselors reported that farmers are experiencing issues like work overload, psychological trauma, extreme fatigue, feelings of isolation, and large financial losses. Initial calls were made to Brittany poultry farmers who dealt with the trauma of burying animal carcasses in June due to the heat.

Cash flow aid announced for farmers

In September, the government announced 235 million euros to be distributed by prefects to help farmers who couldn’t afford to buy animals or seeds. In Finistère and Côtes-d'Armor, about 4,500 requests were made out of 16,000 farmers for 8.2 million euros. The form was fifteen pages long and contained 80 questions.

Aid amounts vary and applications are complex

Large farms were helped by accountants, while smaller farms struggled with the complexity of the process. Laëtitia Le Bras Jacob, deputy director of the MSA Armorique, noted that farmers compare the time spent on applications with the amount of aid received. For GNR, the aid sometimes only reaches a hundred euros, while cash flow aid could be up to 4,000 euros, or even 10,000 for some, depending on the region.

Aid arrival may not be enough for all

In Dordogne, the form was described as "very simple and simplified" by Isabelle Clanchier, but the average amount paid will likely be lower. With the gradual arrival of the aids on bank accounts since early October, some farmers may be able to get through the year but "maybe not two," according to counselors. Others may choose to stop farming or go on strike.