8 June 2011

In stark contrast to the parched North of the country, where rains gave farmers a much needed reprieve from this spring’s arid conditions, violent storms have swept the south of France over the weekend, devastating several farms’ crops. Farmers from Vaucluse, Provence, have demanded the storms be considered a natural disaster.

The farmers are demanding the classification for the reparations it would bring. Having lost much of their fruit and salad crops to violent storms and hail on Saturday and Sunday, many farmers believe they need compensation for the damage.

An emergency meeting held on Monday evening by farmers in Vaucluse saw farmers taking stock of the damage and outlining their demands. André Bernard, president of the departmental section of the FNSEA (farmers and agricultural workers’ union), said “the situation is apocalyptic; two thirds of producers in the department have been affected.”

Jerome Despey, the secretary general of the union, told of the “spectacular” he had witnessed and explained why he was joining the call for compensation from the guarantee fund for natural disasters. M Despey said, “I have seen fruit trees that will now need to be pulled up; the level of damage represents a fundamental loss for local farmers.” He continued that, without proper aid, many farmers in the region would be unable to get back on their feet, concluding there was a great need to exercise solidarity.

3000 – 4000 € lost per hectare

M Dempsey said the affected area “produces approximately 80% of the regions fruit and vegetables.” The FNSEA believes that half of the apple and pear crops have been spoiled. The losses are said to be between 3000 and 4000€ per hectare. Furthermore, André Bernard stated, “cherry production has been ruined, there is nothing left.” M Bernard explained that, for some farmers, going without compensation would mean not receiving payment until September 2012. Furthermore, agricultural workers and seasonal labourers will no longer be able to work this year. He concluded, “Limiting the impact on these workers remains our priority, we must act fast.”  

The department suffers a ‘natural disaster’

The regional chapter of the union has demanded compensation amounting to several hundred million Euros. A definite figure will be arrived at once the union, working with the chamber of agriculture, has gone before the prefecture on Wednesday to formally demand aid. “We will call upon members of parliament on Wednesday to classify the situation as a natural disaster,” confided M Bernard.

The weekend’s events mark the latest obstacle for farmers in Provence, who say they have been in a situation of crisis for several seasons. Financial problems have mounted year on year and in 2011 many said they had stopped their insurance payments; notably insurance against drought and hail damage. This year the drought and most recently the backlash felt by vegetable growers across Europe after the E Coli outbreak has scared consumers off tomatoes cucumbers and salads has already dented farmers’ hopes of good returns.