The French government has announced measures to support farmers during the country’s current heatwave, including easing mowing rules and suspending some inspections.
The French authorities said (in a statement translated into English) that the current heat wave, exceptional in its onset and intensity, “represents severe pressure on the agricultural world, whose activity is greatly exposed to the effects of high temperatures.”
In light of this situation, and at the request of Anne Génévard, Minister of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Sovereignty, representatives of agricultural professional organizations met today (Tuesday 23 June) to assess the situation and determine the emergency measures to be implemented.
After listening to their comments and requests to help farmers overcome this “exceptional period,” the Minister committed to an initial measure aimed at reducing the consequences of the heatwave on animal feed and the risk of fires.
A new situation update will be organized with agricultural professional organizations before the end of the week with the aim of making further possible announcements.
the French government A “red” weather alert was declared this week amid extremely high temperatures.
Temperatures on Monday afternoon reached exceptional levels in most parts of the country, ranging from 39 degrees to 42 degrees in the southwest and 34 degrees to 38 degrees in the east.
Access to forage resources
The French government said it aims to anticipate difficulties that may affect livestock nutrition.
The government said that if local authorities put in place tree clearance commitments, and provided the fallow land is located in the area covered by the new measures, the fallow land may retain its character as agro-ecological infrastructure, even if it is cut down, allowing the farms in question to continue to qualify for assistance under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments in 2026.
Agricultural organizations and agricultural technical institutes have been asked to intensify their support to producers and “disseminate practices widely” to help farmers adapt crop and livestock management to rising temperatures.
Postpone some checks
Given the “unusual seasonality” of the heatwave, the minister also decided to temporarily postpone farm inspections in the affected departments (the French equivalent of a department) until the end of the heatwave red alert period.
Minister Genevard commented: “In the face of the intensification of extreme weather events, it is our responsibility to protect farmers, animals and plants.
“This is essential for the safety of people, the food supply for animals, and defending our food sovereignty, which is a national imperative.
“These goals require rapid, strong and appropriate action.”
She added that the state “is more prepared than ever to provide concrete answers to farmers, protect their productive capabilities, and ensure the future of resilient French agriculture.”
European weather alerts
Weather alerts have been issued in several European countries this week.
The official weather website in Spain issued warnings for many regions, as temperatures today reached 40 degrees in many locations, a category that the Spanish authorities describe as “extremely dangerous.”
German authorities warned of “severe heat stress” or “severe heat exhaustion.” Today, Italy expected temperatures to rise in the mid-30s.
