FNSEA: investigation into the “octopus” networks of agricultural unions
France's leading agricultural union can rely on the chambers of agriculture within its fold, the newspapers it owns, and its unbridled lobbying of public figures to defend its interests.
For left-wing farmers and environmentalists, it is the emblem of all-powerful agribusiness. And even among the radicals of the Rural Coordination, a farmers' union close to the far right, people are accustomed to speaking of the "mafia" when referring to the National Federation of Agricultural Workers' Unions (FNSEA) .
An attack aimed at fanning the flames of the increasingly strong "dégagisme" (clearance) within a profession in search of direction and hoping to oust the majority union from its number 1 position. For the moment, it is holding firm, even though, during the last agricultural elections, the FNSEA lost thirteen chambers of agriculture. "Mafia" is obviously an outrageous word.
The fact remains that if...
L'Humanité
