And we would always be wrong It's too easy

Sensitive meeting today at Bercy. Luc Chatel, Secretary of State for consumption, and Michel Barnier, Minister of Agriculture, receive the FNSEA (National Federation of farmers unions), Ania (National Association of agri-food industries), Coop de France, representatives of the distribution and consumers. In the centre of discussions: the delicate question of food prices and the distribution of margins in the sector, on a background of anger of farmers. Jean-Michel Lemetayer, President of the FNSEA, calls for "transparency" on these points and the "loyalty of trade relations with the distribution. He is convinced that this is the solution to achieve better pay for farmers while guaranteeing the tighter prices to consumers. He expects the commitments in the sense of the distributors.

The Government has promised you an Observatory on prices and margins for months. It was not put in place

It has been implemented, but it does not work. In any case, step correctly. Charrier himself, the rapporteur Member Jean-Paul of the law of modernization of economy (LME) and Chair of the Corporate Affairs Commission, who said. Margins Observatory conducted no work. Saturday, Luc Chatel, Secretary of State for industry and the consumer, has promised that the Government would change gear.

Are distributors only to Pocket margins that you deem excessive price paid to the producer

Transparency, we expect it all. As well as large distribution industry. And to all productions. Not just for milk, which much at this time due to the crisis. The problem is global. We demand as soon as possible a balance of a year of application of the LME, because groups of large distribution, Michel-Edouard Leclerc in head, managed to convince the Government would that allowing them to freely make their purchases, the price decline and would improve the purchasing power of the French. However it does not at all. The distribution can freely and without justification no strangle its suppliers. In addition, trade negotiations are even more opaque than with the previous system, which required him to justify the rear margins.

What do you expect from the meeting today

A commitment of the industrial and distribution on the transparency of prices and the loyalty of the transactions. The Government has also pledged Saturday to put in place to control squads last. Do not lose sight of that 34 violations of trade rules were observed in 2008 and 1.5 million euros in fines have been distributed by the repression of fraud. Review of business practices (CRC) denounced contracts prérédigés the distribution margins established. This cannot last.

We want that the Observatory of prices has finally invoices to dissect the margins. Farmers are the only professionals with anglers do not set the price of their products. The minimum is that we have a bit of visibility on the practices of our clients and it ceases to mislead us, we and consumers, on the margins.

And if the distributors were not

They would take a huge risk to continue to lie as they do. Michel-Edouard Leclerc lying when he claims that we know perfectly the margins. He lies when he says the "Figaro" that I have misled farmers. He lies when he says that I have requested the increase in quotas. I am ready to explain to me with him in their presence. He says I'm sold to the Government and wrote to the President of the Republic by saying "my dear Nicolas". Consumers are persuaded to be abused. Parliamentarians seek order in trade relations. And we would always be wrong It's too easy. The record-long end. This time, the cover was blown. The Government can no longer ignore the problem of the opacity of the margins. All farmers are mobilized.

You want a different distribution of margins between producers, manufacturers and distributors. Is - this realistic

Yes, I do not see why this would not be possible.

You claim the transparency of the prices of manufacturers and distributors. Are you ready for the price of milk

Entirely. If I refer to the data of the Federation of producers of milk, I can tell you at the indicators of 260 euros, 274 EUR price and 280 euros to 1,000 litres, ratified on 3 June by the inter-branch plus a premium for quality of 10 euros and dairy European aid from 15 to 30 euros depending on the circumstances. The price of milk and the premium quality this year barely cover expenses. European aid will instead of income.

Entremont Alliance has already indicated that it would not apply the agreement on the price of milk. Will other manufacturers follow the example

This is not desirable. Entremont is a case and the future of this company, that wants to make its shareholder in control (brother Albert), we worried about much.