Vision Macron and Le Pen
Who will the French farmers choose on May 7?
What do the 2 remaining French presidential candidates have in store for the agricultural sector? Candidate Macron wants to modernize companies and thus increase animal welfare. Le Pen, as a right-wing candidate, has a strikingly left-wing view.
The website Full field listed the agricultural positions of 4 French presidential candidates. In the meantime, after the election round on April 23, that list has been reduced to 2 candidates. It will be either Marine Le Pen or Emmanuel Macron. What do they say about agriculture in their country?
5
billion euros
Entrepreneur remains free
Macron, in his view, is not very vocal about the agricultural sector. The agricultural entrepreneurs are often left free in their business vision. He does have a clear reform program ready for agriculture. This program has a duration of 5 years.
In addition, 5 billion euros will be made available to modernize companies. This modernization is intended to increase animal welfare in France, reduce emissions (environment) and shorten logistics lines. A larger budget will also be made available for climate measures within the agricultural sector.
Right-wing Le Pen is for left-wing agriculture
Right-wing candidate Le Pen has a very left-wing view when it comes to agriculture. For example, she is in favor of the family business and is against mega stalls with 1.000 or more cows. She also wants labels on food products that say something about the quality of the product.
The presidential candidate is also quite clear about European agricultural policy. There will most likely be a referendum on whether France should remain in the EU. So a Frexit. If this becomes reality, it will remain Schengen Agreement exist and changes the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy, or GLB) into PAF (French Agricultural Policy). The subsidy will therefore be maintained. Macron wants to maintain the common agricultural policy.
trade agreements
Despite wanting to protect the French agricultural sector from fellow member states, Macron is in favor of a free trade agreement Ceta with Canada. Tafta, the free trade agreement with the United States, has not yet matured, according to him.
Like President Trump, Le Pen is diametrically opposed to the Ceta and the Tafta, or any other trade treaties.
More rules, less burden
In the area of administrative burdens, Le Pen is contradictory in her views. She wants to create new rules for animal welfare, food safety and the environment. On the other hand, a reduction of the administrative burden is planned.
Macron says he wants to give farmers a second chance (when the authorities identify a violation) without immediately handing out fines. Personnel costs must also be reduced according to the programs of Macron and Le Pen.
More power to the farmer
The liberal Macron is in favor of free market forces, but says that farmers should be given more power in order to receive a fair price for their products. To this end, negotiations with the agro-industry must be started in partnerships.
Le Pen, on the other hand, is in favor of setting rock bottom prices for products. 'Economic patriotism', she calls it. That happens after 2 bad years, in consultation with the unions. 'That way, farmers can live on what they produce and not on support measures,' she says. Both Macron and Le Pen promise tax cuts and an interest-only loan for young entrepreneurs.
matif
The French presidential election is keeping Europe busy. This is no different in the agricultural sector. After the election round on Sunday, April 23, the wheat quotation on the Matif in Paris started positive and remained positive when the result was announced. However, the price closed at almost the same level. On Tuesday afternoon, April 25, the May contract is again slightly in the plus.
Niels van der Boom
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.