In this commentary, Guillaume Tabard highlights the growing distress among farmers in France, emphasizing how widespread support for the agricultural community stands in stark contrast to its declining stability. The Salon de l’agriculture, where political leaders attempt to rally support, serves as a backdrop for the concern over the absence of livestock at this year's event, symbolizing a deeper issue of diminishing rural livelihoods. Tabard warns against the potential future of a France devoid of its farmers, noting the drastic drop in the number of farms from 1.5 million to only 350,000 over the last fifty years, which illustrates a critical trend of abandonment and economic failure in the sector.

The discussion extends to the alarming statistics surrounding farm closures, with about a thousand failing each year and new farmers entering the profession at an unsustainable rate. This imbalance is compounded by a systematic decline in farmers' income, leading to a dire situation for those who remain in agriculture. Tabard further emphasizes that despite the deep affection the French public has for their farmers, there seems to be a disconnect between this sentiment and the political actions or solutions proposed to support this vital community.

Overall, the piece serves as a wake-up call regarding the plight of farmers in France, urging both public and policy makers to recognize and address the serious challenges they face before it is too late. The implications of this decline not only threaten the agricultural landscape but also hint at broader social and cultural ramifications for French society as a whole.