The Court of Auditors denounces the excesses of the Chambers of Agriculture

In a report that the Radio France investigation unit was able to consult exclusively, the Court of Auditors points “Irregularities” and “dysfunctions” within the French Chambers of Agriculture. The state, many times alerted, is accused of having too often let go.

“There is a real state impairment in this case”Slips a member of the Court of Auditors. Since 2017, the Court, which has controlled the use of public money, has identified a multitude of irregularities and dysfunctions, more or less serious, within the French Chambers of Agriculture, funded at three quarters by public money. In a searched summary work, she alerts on regular “Probity attacks“(Corruption, influence traffic, favoritism…) and taking “”illegal decisions “. As for the risks for the future, they are generalized, for lack of standards. “We must note the level of vigilance” estimates the financial jurisdiction.

In theory, the chambers of agriculture, public establishments placed under the supervision of the State, must provide their aid and advice in a neutral manner, being at the service of all farmers. But some practices question the Court of Auditors. Like this subsidy of 66,000 euros awarded several years in a row by the Vendée Chamber of Agriculture, dominated by the FDSEA union (Departmental Federation of Farmers’ Unions) … at FDSEA for missions deemed “”not very explicit “.

Another example that raises questions: these 55,000 euros arrowed to young farmers in 2020 in Ile-de-France. Watch out for abusive advantages,, warns the courtyard. “The irregular allocation of grants must disappear from network practices and the supervision must ensure there”, Can we read in the document. “Atoday, public establishments see their funding drop, insists a member of the Court of Auditors, The rooms, they see their resources slightly increasing even as the number of farmers is decreasing. They must justify the use of this money. ” Of the 800 million euros in annual budget of the rooms, nearly 600 million come from taxes and subsidies.

If the Court targets the chambers of agriculture, the role of guardianship, ministries and prefectures, is also mentioned on several occasions. Too much lightness, too much distance. The rooms seem, on reading this report, as often left to themselves, the slippages being only too rarely sanctioned.

Example, in Lot et Garonne, where the Chamber of Agriculture, led by rural coordination since 2001, assumes (illegal construction of a water holder, refusal of audit …), while receiving public money to ensure its operation. “By refusing to comply with the rules of law on several occasions and on many points, it does not comply with its public establishment obligations”, already wrote the court in a Report centered on this Chamber of Agriculture in 2024. However, for many years, the prefecture has not reacted to the height of what was necessary, believes the court. “They have only started to wake up for two years”, A source, under the cover of anonymity. he prefect of Lot-et-Garonne, however “deemed useful to respond to the court, to justify” Its lack of intervention on certain points, specifies the report.

The head of the network, a France Chamber of Agriculture, is also pointed out. If she sometimes considers herself helpless in the face of rooms that do not meet her audit requests and who display a “Clear will of secession”, As one of its members has entrusted to us, she has also recently had a power of sanctions which she must now apply, says the Court of Auditors.

Faced with this lack of guardianship, public policies are not always carried and respected by the chambers of agriculture. “”They are not enough the engine they should be “, According to a member of the court. The chambers of agriculture are notably responsible for the“Support for the agroecological transition”. But in fact, they are frequently shown “”Hostiles “ to a drop in the use of phytosanitary products, drawing directly “Elements of language” of some agricultural unions. Even if some progress has still been found locally,, The results in this area are generally “Reduced for limited ambitions”notes the Court of Auditors.

The financial chamber recalls that over the years, it has pointed out many illegal decisions in its reports, but often without effects. No dissolution of room since 2017 and very few decisions cancellations. “”We must fight irregularities more firmly“”Said the Court, which also quotes the Corsican Chambers of Agriculture several times.

For the future, the Court of Auditors recommends a number of measures including the implementation of a “”code of Conduct“” For employees who would help them better know how to behave in the face of invitations and gifts. As for elected officials definitively judged and convicted, can they remain in office or should they resign? “On certain points must take up the base because the risk of drifts is real“”Still a member of the Court of Auditors to the Radio France Investigation Unit.

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