The first decisions of the French government in response to the mass farmers’ protests were published on Sunday in the Journal officiel. They concern diesel oil and compensation related to a cattle disease that appeared in France a few months ago.
The first decree will enable farmers to apply for 50% from February. advance payment for partial refund of excise duty on energy products, in particular diesel oil, the main fuel for agricultural machinery. Previously, this reimbursement only took place in the year following the expenditure.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also announced that he would abandon the increase in the tax on diesel oil for agricultural machinery, which was to come into force this year – writes the daily “Le Figaro”.
Increased veterinary reimbursement for deer haemorrhagic disease (EHD)
The second decree concerns increasing the reimbursement of veterinary costs from 80 to 90 percent. for breeders of cattle affected by haemorrhagic disease (EHD). The disease spread across southern Europe last year, with its first outbreaks reported in France in September.
Losses caused by animal mortality will also be compensated at the rate of 90%, according to a scale of amounts based on the type of animal (…) and its age – writes “Le Figaro”.
Suspending the pesticide reduction plan, strengthening controls on imported food and strengthening enforcement of regulations protecting food producers against price gouging – such measures were announced by Attal on Thursday in response to mass protests by farmers.
Farmers started to gradually lift the blockades on Friday following the appeal of the two main trade union organizations.
The protest of French farmers was considered the first major crisis faced by the new prime minister – Attal took office on January 9.
