Hollande opens annual agricultural fair in Paris

The French president has opened the annual Paris International Agricultural Show, dubbed “the largest farm in France”, as agriculture becomes a major issue ahead of local elections next month.

François Hollande with French Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll at the Paris agricultural show, 22 February 2014 Reuters/Jacques Brinon/Pool

François Hollande inaugurated the 51st Salon de l’Agriculture on Saturday morning, going around different stalls to tell farmers they will benefit from lower social taxes as part of his government’s “responsibility pact”, a deal to lower some payroll taxes and charges in return for job creation.

Hollande spent the morning sipping wine, sampling cheeses and talking to dairy producers about European milk prices.

The agricultural fair is a must for French political leaders keen to show they are in touch with France’s regions. Last year, Hollande spent 10 hours at the fair’s opening day.

French government statistics show the agricultural sector contributed 3.1 percent to the country’s GDP in 2010. Nearly a fifth – 19 percent – of food production in the European Union is carried out in France, more than any other country in the 28-member bloc.

A survey for the television channel iTélé on Saturday found 72 percent of respondents believe France should continue to subsidise the agricultural sector.

There are around 1,300 exhibitors from 22 countries at the fair, which lasts for a week until March 2.

Organisers expect around 700,000 visitors to go through the doors.