FNSEA calls for a white year 2009 and an exemption from the carbon tax
AP | 03.09.2009/10/32 | XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.
The FNSEA, the first farmers' union, is asking for a "blank year on charges" in 2009 as well as an "exemption" from the carbon tax.
"We are totally against this new tax," Jean-Michel Lemétayer, president of the National Federation of Farmers' Unions, said Thursday on France-Info. "I ask for exemption from this tax, at least at this stage."
According to him, the climate energy contribution (CCE) proposed by the government "will heavily penalize agricultural producers, particularly greenhouse producers who need energy". He notes that foreign farmers will not be subject to this tax but will be able to export their products to France. "Create a new distortion of competition to the detriment of our producers when things are already going badly, I say no".
Affirming that farmers were going through their most serious crisis for 30 years, Jean-Michel Lemétayer asked the government "to support the income of 2009 for producers by reducing our charges".
"There are not 36 solutions, it's a blank year on financial charges," pleaded the president of the FNSEA, who should meet Nicolas Sarkozy next week. "We are dealing with price situations (paid to producers) which are those of 10-15 years ago and I think that we cannot face such a situation". AP
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