The Independent Winegrowers of France (Vignerons Indépendants) want public money spent on preventing weather damage rather than repairing it.
On Monday, October 5th, the association called for a €4 billion investment plan over five years to physically protect 70% of the country's vineyards from hail, frost and drought.
The Proposal
The plan, championed by president Jean-Marie Fabre, rests on a reference cost of €10,000 per hectare. It also asks for a change in public policy: more resources for prevention, fewer for compensation after each weather event.
Fabre argues that a season without weather-related incidents has become the exception, and he ties this to climate change. In his view, the state should help farms protect themselves before losses occur, not just pay out afterwards.
How It Would Be Funded
The association spreads the cost across several levels of government:
- EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development): €2 billion
- Regions: €1 billion
- Central government: €200 million a year for five years, or €1 billion in total
The Case for Prevention
The organization says the upfront effort would pay off in the medium and long term, and it backs the claim with several figures:
- The French state has paid out €2 billion in compensation over the past three years, roughly €667 million a year. That is more than three times the €200 million a year requested from the central government.
- A 10% loss in vineyard yields would mean €610 million less in tax revenue.
- In 2025, aid for harvesting and distillation totaled €310 million. Fabre uses this as a benchmark, arguing that protecting vines earlier can cost public finances less than repeating emergency measures once a harvest is already lost.
Why 70%?
The plan does not cover every vineyard in France. The association considers 70% enough to significantly reduce the economic impact of weather disasters. According to Fabre, a wider protection network would preserve production, maintain market share and ease pressure on wine-related jobs. He also urged the government to decide whether it wants to support the wine sector or accept a decline in its importance.
Wider Implications for the Drinks Sector
The proposal reaches beyond farms hit by hail, frost or drought. A shift toward prevention could bring more stable supply in seasons marked by extreme weather and cut some of the public spending tied to emergency aid. If protection does limit crop losses, it could also smooth out swings in activity for wineries, cooperatives and exporters.
Source: Vinetur