Credits: original photograph from Ericwaltr (cropped by TwoWings, with no need to credit him for it) / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0.
Karine Le Marchand, host of the popular show Love Is in the Meadow on M6, received the cross of Officer of the Agricultural Merit last November. More recently, she spoke with Le Parisien following the many outbursts of anger by French farmers.
Karine Le Marchand has always clearly expressed her support for the agricultural world, notably through her latest documentary Family of Farmers, which drew impressive ratings. This film, which traces a century of farming history, highlights the challenges and lack of understanding experienced by farming families.
For her, the current anger is a form of civil uprising, born of frustration over government decisions made without regard for "ordinary people." She says she is worried about the sector’s survival in France, in the face of low incomes and young people’s disillusionment.
Le Marchand also points to price uncertainty and weather-related hazards, which deepen the precariousness of small farms. She believes it is necessary to establish a fair and stable purchase price for agricultural products and criticizes loss-leader pricing practices that hurt local producers.
In the face of the crisis, the host calls on all French people to show greater recognition for farmers, stressing the importance of buying their products at a fair price. For Le Marchand, solidarity with the agricultural world also means active participation in demonstrations and broader societal commitment.