22 June 2011

French newspaper Le Monde reported this morning that a million tonnes of straw will be distributed to livestock farmers who cannot provide their own after the spring drought, which struck much of Europe, has left them without enough to feed and bed their animals. The French Ministries for Ecology and Agriculture announced yesterday that farmers will start receiving straw from mid-July.

The straw will principally be coming from grain producing regions such as Picardie, the Ile-de-France and Champagne and going to farmers in the Loire, Poitou-Charentes and the Auvergne, which have been punished by drought.

58 Departments facing water restrictions

A press statement issued by the ministries revealed, “The first movements [of straw] are expected in mid-July; the quantity of straw to transport is estimated at around one million tonnes. The points of loading and distribution will be announced in the coming days.”Ministers said long distances will be covered by train, and shorter distances by road.

Livestock farmers have been acutely affected by the drought in France; many have had difficulties feeding their animals and some have been forced to slaughter some of their animals early. The effects of the drought are still being felt in France, where 58 of 101 departments are facing water restriction, according to the latest Ministry of Ecology figures, published on Monday 20th.