Cows have a dichromatic organism. Their retinas are devoid of red receiver, which makes them more or less Daltonian. A debate existed among scientists, but the latter finally cut it off a few years ago: the eyes of cattle only perceive variations in yellow and blue. This Tuesday, February 25, shortly before 10 am this morning, Oupette, 6, the muse of this new edition of the International Agricultural Show, therefore saw a turquoise mass, a bit blurred … ‘was other than Marine Tondelier, the National Secretary of Ecologists, sporting one of her two green jackets for the occasion, the flashy version. Obliged passage, the patron of Europe Ecologie-les Verts folded to the traditional photograph in the enclosure. Small caress on the head of the most beautiful of the limousins in the living room, prolonged exchange with its breeder … The ecologists are certainly the friends of the animals. Why not become those of farmers?
Marine Tondelier and its rural ecological skewers, specially invited for the annual high mass, therefore observe the exhibitors with their most beautiful eyes: those of lust. It must be said that a year after the agricultural crisis, during which the Greens were erected as a scarecrow of the peasant world, the profession remains hostile to this political formation, often perceived as a lessons or too far from the issues specific to the campaigns. The interested party denies it: “I came to tell you that there are 200 farms that disappear per week in this country, 10,000 per year, and that it is not the fault of environmentalists, affirms the one who is also a farmer’s granddaughter. […]. I specify that in history, the scapegoats are in principle innocent, “she continues, before castigating the new orientation law for agricultural sovereignty. Around the owner, the deputy-Paysan Benoît Biteau, the parliamentarian of Drôme Marie Pochon at the initiative of the bill – adopted – aimed at guaranteeing a dignified income for farmers, opine from the chief.
Recently, the ecologists also like to brandish a survey according to which they would be the second “best allies of the farmers” behind the RN – not very brilliant in detail since only 32 % of the questioned estimate that the Greens defend the interests of the profession. And in the living room spans, environmentalists remain divisive. “Who is it ?” Visitors, taken aback by the cloud of stretched microphones, sometimes let out some insults when they recognize Marine Tondelier.
“At least me I won’t eat you, I am a vegetarian”
But facing the cameras, wandering has a health walk. Finie La Castagne: the number 1 of the sunflower party has already settled its accounts the day before, in a slightly more discreet visit (the media were not warned), with the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA) and rural coordination (CR). Exit also the questions on the news of his party, in particular about the upheavals of “the Bayou affair”. On the program therefore, the ecologists re -giving the world (agricultural). Here the visit of dairy cooperation to speak, among other things, fixing selling prices, and brick photo session in hand; There a few shots, cosse of the batch in the arms, and the opportunity to whisper with the lamb a few sweet words: “at least I will not eat you, I am a vegetarian.” Or a meeting with an association that defends the local breeds of cattle. “When you vote laws, think of SMEs and VSEs!” Consider it an exhibitor in the aisle. And Marine Murgiel to extend his card to him, as to others: “If something does not suit you, call me.” The boss of the ecologists will also pass a head at the stand of the Confédération Paysanne, a leftist agricultural union promoting a peasant agriculture that respects the environment. And will still go to exchange with young agriculture (JA), reputed to be close to the FNSEA. A little otherness never hurts.
The current context, the recent elections of the Chambers of Agriculture, as well as the exchanges fed with the various exhibitors have strengthened Guillaume Gontard, patron of the ecological senators, in his convictions. “The facts are right, little by little. But the image of environmentalists is not simple. I come from a rural territory, and when I call on people there, and that I tell them that I am Ecolo, they tell me ‘you are not the same!’ In fact, many do not really look at what we offer. ” Don’t environmentalists sometimes lend the flank to criticism? “The prejudices are fed on one side as on the other,” admits Marie Pochon. The party leadership will make available to trade union organizations, the agricultural press, and its members a survey to “compare what farmers perceive environmentalists and the reality of what we wear”, dixit the entourage of the national secretary. Faced with clichés, the ecologists want to objectify their observation.