France Aims To Boost Pulse Output

VANCOUVER - Jan 8/15 - SNS -- Direct subsidies to farmers are a key element in France's plan to significantly increase domestic production of protein crops used to produce livestock feed.

The six year plan unveiled by Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll would pay farmers between 100 and 200 Euros per hectare per year until 2020 in an effort to increase land in pulses and other protein crops. The scheme has a budget of 49 million Euros per year, with 71% going to field peas, lupins, fababeans; 16% for crops used to make dehydrated fodder (including alfalfa, clover, sainfoin, vetch, and sweet clover); and 12% for soybeans.

Farmers have to observe specific conditions to be granted subsidies. One of these conditions is intended to avoid large-scale monoculture, such as with corn. As a consequence, corn growers are expected to increase their production of non-GE soybeans. Additionally, several voluntary agri-environmental measures of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) aim to increase legume production and to reduce concentrate purchases.

Other parts of the plan include an effort to achieve 'organic protein independence' for human and animal consumption. It also calls for the development of a ten-year research strategy for plant breeding, but there is no specific budget allocated to this measure. Working groups make up of farmers and animal feed compounders will be also be created to discuss the possibilities for reducing France's shortage in protein plants.