Installation, activities, predation… the Young Farmers of Lozère take stock at the start of 2025

Élodie Joubert, the general secretary of the JA 48, Hervé Boudon, the president, and Pierre Privat, the treasurer. Midi Libre – Célian Guignard

The JA 48, as tradition dictates, draw up an initial assessment of 2024 and look towards the upcoming deadlines.

1. Fifty installations in 2024

“At the Young Farmers of Lozère (JA 48), we are formatted to work for our profession. We are formatted to build our future, we are formatted to install young people”, recalled the president of the union, Hervé Boudon, on Monday, January 6, 2025. In this regard, the figures for 2024 are enough to make him smile, as well as Pierre Privat, its treasurer, and Élodie Joubert, its general secretary. “We are at fifty assisted installations, the latter explains. We are still a department that installs a lot.”

Ninety installations in 2023, and 80 in 2022, had been recorded. The 2024 drop is not, however, alarming for the three union leaders. “At that time, the amount of the Aid for the installation of young farmers was higher, recalls Hervé Boudon. In 2024, it was €10,000 lower. Our standards are between 40 and 60 installations. Now, we are right in the middle.”

The president of JA 48 recalls one last figure: “According to INSEE(National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies), between 2019 and 2021, the renewal rate of farms in Lozère was 101%. So we gained 1% of farms. That doesn't mean everything. I'm not saying that everything is perfect. Nevertheless, I believe that many departments in France would dream of having our figures.”

2. Twenty events

The Young Farmers of Lozère can be proud of having organized 20 events throughout 2024: the Earth Festival, the Farm in the City in La Canourgue, the Farm Snacks and the Gourmet Walk.

“We must thank our eleven cantons, our two leaders and all the breeders who opened their farms, insisted Hervé Boudon. We have never had the slightest problem. The “haters” on social networks remain “haters” on social networks. In real life, it doesn't happen like that. In Lozère, we have virtuous agriculture. Consumers are asking for it.”

In 2025, the Earth Festival will take place on Sunday, August 24. After the canton of Valdonnez in 2024, it will be organized by that of Grandrieu. “For the time being, the plot has not yet been chosen,” emphasizes the president of JA 48.

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3. A historic mobilization

The year 2024 was also marked by the anger of farmers throughout France. Lozère was no exception. The Young Farmers of Lozère and the FDSEA were notably at the origin of a major protest action on the A75 motorway, which was completely blocked at Antrenas on Tuesday, January 30. “We are not demonstrating for the sake of demonstrating. The work has also been done at the departmental, regional and national level, where we are everywhere,” insists Élodie Joubert.

While significant progress had been made, particularly under the Attal government, the Young Farmers regret the various political reversals of recent months. “Our exchanges were very intense last winter and at the beginning of spring,” recalls Hervé Boudon. We had made a whole bunch of demands regarding simplification, tariffs, GNR (non-road diesel)… Implementation plans had been scheduled. Everything stopped when the National Assembly was dissolved in June, including the agricultural orientation law. After two months of political uncertainty, a new government was appointed. We then started very intense work again, before those who said all the good things they thought about agriculture decided to cut off the head of the government with a motion of censure. These 331 deputies reduced all our efforts to nothing. They bear this responsibility.”

4. Wolf predation

Wolf predation is still one of the major concerns of the JA 48. A case that the union will continue to follow with the greatest attention. “We had about 130 attacks for 320 victims, estimates Hervé Boudon. There were a few cattle, but if we only take the sheep, it is an entire herd that has disappeared. We have two proven packs on Mount Lozère and Mount Aigoual. In reality, we have at least four, if not more.”

Officially, four wolves were taken in Lozère. However, the JA believe that this number is overestimated. “There were two simple defense shots after which a little blood and hair were found. The animal itself was never recovered. Was it injured on a paw? On a long nail? Did it leave a little blood? We don't know. Doubt never benefits the farmer, but the wolves. If we don't find him, he's deducted. On the other hand, the farmer who has a missing sheep, we don't pay him for it.”

In 2024, the JA are pleased that a first simple defense shot has been obtained to protect cattle. “It's hard to get, the president continues. I think it's for financial reasons. It would cost a lot in compensation.“

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