Up to 35,000 French farms risk closing due to drought and heat. A 1 billion euro plan faces criticism over uneven aid distribution and exclusion of many farmers.
Farms face closure due to extreme weather
Up to 35,000 agricultural farms in mainland France risk closing this winter due to a scorching summer and ongoing drought, which have severely impacted crop yields and forage availability.Government launches Casi plan
The French government launched the Casi plan (Climate, adaptation, drought, fires) on September 4 with a budget of one billion euros, aiming to address the crisis caused by extreme weather and drought conditions.Funding breakdown and criticisms
Of the one billion euros, 520 million is allocated to a climate insurance (ISN), 300 million to the exemption of TFNB (tax on unbuilt land), and 235 million to an "agricultural rearmament fund." However, distribution criteria are considered opaque, and certain types of farms are excluded from receiving aid.Farmers seek urgent help
According to a government source, 30,000 to 35,000 farms require urgent assistance due to the drought, fires, and a scorching summer. Average yield losses of 50% in many areas have left many farmers with water bills to pay without summer income.Insurance coverage and compensation
Only 18% of French farms are covered by private crop insurance, and the ISN provides compensation for crop losses linked to climatic hazards, but eligibility requires insurance. For uninsured farms, indemnities trigger only from 50% losses, with a 28% payout, leaving many farmers with minimal compensation.Criticism of rearmament fund
The "agricultural rearmament fund" is criticized for uneven distribution, with some departments receiving more support than others. In the Drôme, for example, the fund would provide 400 euros per farmer, described as "crumbs" by local unions.Exclusion of certain farms
The allocation criteria exclude farms in collective proceedings and those not requesting the PAC (common agricultural policy), leading to disputes over who receives aid. The National Federation of Organic Agriculture (Fnab) noted that diversified horticulture was excluded from the criteria, affecting 17% of farms.Government strategy and sector concentration
The government's approach is seen as using an exceptional situation to make selections, accelerating a "social plan" that may leave many farmers without support. The disappearance of 100,000 farms and 80,000 full-time equivalents in ten years highlights ongoing concentration in the sector.
