After the dramatic death of Claude Lagorce, a maize grower and animal farmer in Girac (Lot) on Sunday, August 5, the AGPM, AGPB, FOP and their professional union ORAMA, wish to convey their very sincere condolences to his widow and four children, and to express full solidarity.
It is the entire farming sector which is now in mourning, having lost one of its community, a farmer whose property, jointly managed with one of his brothers, was exemplary for both agronomic practice and animal farming in full compliance with standards required. This drama is both unacceptable and abhorrent. Claude Lagorce grew conventional maize and also Bt maize, doing so legally and with due respect for EU and French regulations, as is the case for thousands of other maize growers in France and across Europe.
µWhat is equally unacceptable and abhorrent is the very poor political handling of this issue, with hesitation and procrastination instead of decisions. How can anyone maintain, as some ministers are now doing, that the question of GMOs has not been settled and that it will only be dealt with once there has been full debate across society, as part of the consultations/negotiations known as the “Grenelle de l’Environnement”? We have had years of debate now; shelves are piled high with expert reports, proceedings of symposiums and reports from scientific and political debates, and there are years of experience growing Bt maize. It has been established for a long time now that this innovation offering good prospects, which is simply one of a number of farming options, is safe and works with respect for different sectors and markets.
The leniency and laissez-faire attitude shown to the vandals who destroy Bt crops and their lobby groups committing illegal acts, targeting farmers and their families, their property and crops, are just as unacceptable and abhorrent. Recent photos and film footage have provided further evidence, showing the offenders, including some already tried and found guilty, committing their misdeeds in front of the police. What’s more, a delegation of these “reaper” lobby groups officially met with the Ministry of the Environment Cabinet and Secretary of State, on July 31 this year, to call for a moratorium. By granting legitimacy to these movements and their leaders, their actions are also being legitimised, and at the expense of the work done by farmers.
For a number of years now, we have been calling for law and order to be enforced, as required in a State of Law, and on numerous occasions we have issued warnings to public authorities of serious incidents and consequences that could arise from any display of indulgence in dealing with the issue of GMOs. ORAMA and its specialised member associations reiterated this on July 26 in a letter addressed to the Ministers of the Environment, Interior, Agriculture and Research.
It is now up to the Government to finally face up to its responsibilities.
An Unacceptable Drama
Agriculture in Mourning