French farmers are set to receive financial aid from a one-billion-euro support plan, with payments expected to be distributed by the end of September or the beginning of October, according to Annie Genevard, the Minister of Agriculture. She made the announcement during an interview on ICI Armorique on Tuesday, September 15, during the opening of the International Livestock Fair (Space) in Rennes. The plan was first announced on September 4 of last year in response to a summer marked by extreme drought and heatwave, which severely impacted agricultural production. Despite the aid, unions have criticized the amount as insufficient to cover all losses. In response, Genevard explained that the government cannot fully compensate for all production losses and revenue. She urged farmers to take out insurance, noting that nine out of ten are currently uninsured. "It is both a management act and a protection," she said, adding that two to three billion euros could have been paid to farmers if they had been better insured. This year’s International Livestock Fair focuses on the theme of water, which aligns with the minister’s call to store water during periods of abundance, such as during floods. The agricultural emergency law passed this summer aims to double the storage of agricultural water, as the government emphasizes the importance of preserving water resources. Genevard stressed the need to be reasonable in water consumption and to maintain its quality. The government has always aimed to increase water availability, Genevard noted, but when it comes to water quality, she emphasized that strict standards must be upheld. Her comments highlight the dual challenge of managing water resources—ensuring enough supply while maintaining its purity for agricultural use.