The annual Libramont Agricultural Festival took place this weekend in the province of Luxembourg, with 700 exhibitors, 4,000 manufacturers and 2,800 animals on show. It is one of the largest open-air agricultural fairs in Europe.
Whilst the eyes of the world are fixed on the Paris Olympics, Belgium has its own major event with over 200,000 people expected to visit the 88th edition of the fair. Not only a key calendar fixture for farmers, many politicians also attend. And with the future of Europe's agriculture high on the agenda following the series of protests earlier this year, the fair this year provides an opportunity for stakeholders to convene.
With national elections bringing in a new regional government, Walloon ministers were keen to win over farmers. The region counts some 14,800 farmers, many of whom have voiced strong criticism for the regulations imposed by the EU. In his first public speech since being appointed Minister-President of Wallonia, Adrien Dolimont (MR) was at Libramont on Friday.
"Farmers are a partner for the Walloon government," he said, emphasising the need for cooperation with the sector. This is a two-way process which involves "evaluating, listening and simplifying" – the latter a reference to the administrative burden that farmers have said is making their occupation excessively arduous and time-consuming.
The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides massive subsidies to Europe's farmers but under tight conditions. For instance, a series of administrative checks must be completed in order to qualify for the money. In Wallonia, the CAP is worth €1.9 billion, which is shared between the region's farmers between 2023 and 2027 (after which a new CAP will be decided).
Farmers' protest in Brussels, 1 February 2024. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
Whilst the agricultural community has recently pitched itself against "technocrats" in Brussels, Dolimont was eager to win over farmers and said it was important to "restore the trust between the administration, politicians and citizens."
His comments echoed those of Jean-François Piérard, president of the fair. "One of the greatest challenges for the farming world is to deal with the lack of public understanding" for how the industry works, Piérard stated. The protests in Brussels earlier this year incited reproval from many of the city's residents. And though the public was not entirely unsympathetic to the cause of farmers, much attention was paid to the distance between consumers and producers.
"Stop bashing farmers," Dolimont told a receptive crowd.
Walloon Minister-President Adrien Dolimont and Walloon Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Anne-Catherine Dalcq at the opening of the 88th Libramont Agricultural fair, Friday 26 July 2024. Credit: Belga
Also present on Friday was the new Walloon agriculture minister Anne-Catherine Dalcq (also MR), who herself has been a farmer and is recognised as one of the community. "I've been to Libramont every year since I was born," the 32-year-old minister said. Dalcq pledged her support for the sector: "I am here for you; I will give [the job] everything."
Her words were met with cheers but the colossal challenges faced by farmers in the region will require more than bon éntente between ministers and the industry.
This year's fair focuses on sharing knowledge about innovative and sustainable solutions. Among these, new machines are on display, such as a tractor powered entirely by methane or a system to increase visibility and eliminate blind spots.
