Nearly 80% of farm operators in France are not insured, with high costs being a major concern. This was highlighted at the 40th edition of Space, the world's leading livestock fair, which opened on Tuesday, September 15, in Rennes. The event marked the first major agricultural fair of the year and came amid a severe agricultural crisis caused by prolonged drought and intense heatwaves during the summer. These conditions have damaged crops, reduced yields, and strained resources for many farmers. The French government has allocated just over one billion euros to support the agricultural sector, and Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard visited the fair to reassure farmers that aid payments would be distributed by the end of September or early October. Genevard urged farmers to take responsibility by insuring their crops, noting that 80% of the 400,000 farm operators in France are not covered by crop insurance. She emphasized that not insuring leaves farmers vulnerable to risks such as drought, which have become increasingly common. Mathieu, a dairy cattle farmer from the Orne region, explained that many farmers avoid insurance due to the high annual costs and the hope that they might have years with good harvests that don't require compensation. In contrast, Guillaume, a farmer from the Manche, has insured his pastures for several years. He spends 2,000 euros annually on insurance for his 130 hectares. Despite the expense, he said it has been worth it, especially this year, when heatwaves and drought have reduced his yield by 60%. Guillaume now has to buy fodder, including standing corn and likely hay, due to a shortage of local resources. Genevard expressed confusion over the low adoption of crop insurance, stating that it is a valuable tool for reducing production risks. She pointed out that the French government and the European Union cover 70% of insurance costs, which should make it more accessible for farmers. She suggested that crop insurance might one day need to be made mandatory, a view shared by European authorities. Countries like Poland and Hungary already require farmers to have crop insurance, highlighting a potential shift in policy across the region.