Christophe Terrain, President of AGPM, the French association of maize growers, took part in the panel discussion organised by the French consumer association “UFC-Que Choisir” in Pau, where he expressed the views of farmers and maize growers on the issue of managing water resources.

Total annual rainfall in France is 170 billion cubic metres, but only 1% is used;  in other words, there is plenty of water in the country, and in particular in the south-west, where water and irrigation have always managed to “live together”.
 
For a long time now, irrigating farmers have been carrying out joint water management and water saving procedures, and they would like to see an ambitious national storage plan implemented immediately so as to reduce the impact of drought and weather events which can occur in France.
 
Irrigation is needed for various farming activities, e.g. fruit and vegetables, maize, sugar beet and potatoes, and in France it is practised by 100 000 farmers over 1.9 million hectares.  Irrigation is essential to maintain diversity in farming and in farm produce, for quality supply and balanced management of resources.
 
Farmers want full and proper recognition for their work:  irrigation is conducted in a rational and integrated way, when and where it is required.  It is not the cause of drought;  quite the opposite, it helps relieve drought conditions and maintain economic activity throughout different regions in the country.  This is the case for maize in south-western France where it is the foundation for an entire economic sector, being an appropriate activity for the region in agronomic terms and viable in economic terms.
 
Work is needed to develop a long-term water management policy designed for all types of use, without stigmatising the farming sector which, in fact, has been a pioneer in water management.  Irrigating farmers did not have to wait for UFC-Que Choisir and its “aquatax” to adjust their cropping programmes.  This is what farming is all about!
Populist, unfounded arguments about aid and reduced acreage, as proposed by UFC-Que Choisir, will not help discussions move ahead. 
 
 Contacts presse :
AGPM – Béatrice Guénebeaud, 01 47 23 48 32