Macron says war will bring heavy costs to the French agricultural sector.
"This crisis is here to stay," Macron told the farmers.
PARIS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The war in Ukraine and the heavy sanctions imposed on Russia by Western powers will have serious and lasting consequences for the French agricultural sector, the largest in the European Union, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday.
"If you ask me to share one conviction with you this morning, it is that this crisis is here to stay, this war is here to stay," Macron told the Paris agricultural program on Saturday.
Trade restrictions resulting from EU sanctions on Russia will weigh on French exports, such as wine and grains, Macron said, while a further increase in energy prices will affect livestock farming.
"We are building a resilience plan," Macron said, adding that measures will be taken to protect farmers from cost pressures and compensate for lost revenue.
A rise in commodity prices last year benefited grain producers but crushed livestock farmers for whom grain feed is a significant cost. The government announced a €270 million ($304 million) aid package for the pig farming sector at the end of January.
The crisis in Ukraine is increasing volatility in agricultural markets, with wheat futures in Paris hitting a record high on Thursday. Farmers are also worried that the crisis could exacerbate fertilizer supply tensions and disrupt the spring planting season.
The annual agricultural fair in Paris, the Salon de l'Agriculture, is a major event in France and, less than two months before the first round of the presidential elections, it has attracted the leading candidates.
French commentators had hoped that Macron might use his appearance on the program to officially announce his intention to run for a second term, a fact that no one in France doubts.
But international crises, especially the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have thwarted the president's schedule several times.
While Macron spent more than 12 hours at the last edition of the Salon in 2020, trying to reassure farmers about the impact of Brexit and a reform of EU agricultural policy, he only spoke on Saturday for about 15 minutes.
Subscribe to 247, Support via Pix, Subscribe to TV 247, in the channel Cuts 247 and watch: